165 research outputs found
Growth and reproduction studies on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) in Beymelek Lagoon, Turkey
In the present study, age, growth, length-weight relationship and reproduction were investigated in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L., 1758) collected from Beymelek Lagoon (Antalya, Turkey) between February 2006 and July 2007. The age, total length and weight of samples ranged from 0+ to 4 years, 10.6 to 35.5cm, and 18 to 928g, respectively. Growth was described by the standard form of the von Bertalanffy growth equation and the estimated parameters were Lâ = 44.6cm, k = 0.394yr^-1 and t0 = -1.331yr. Length-weight relationship was determined as W=0.0174TL^2.9769 (R^2=0.965), and weight increased with size isometrically (b = 2.9769) for all fish. Sex inversion occurred mainly at 26 cm in total length and females reached sexual maturity at 28.5 cm. The spawning period was from December to February, while the gamete emission peaked in December
Single Enteral Loading Dose of Phenobarbital for Achieving Its Therapeutic Serum Levels in Neonates
Aim To investigate whether therapeutic serum drug levels
may be achieved with a single enteral loading dose of
phenobarbital.
Methods The study was performed at the Mersin University
Hospital in Turkey between April 2004 and August 2006,
and included 29 newborn babies with seizure. After the
acute treatment of the seizure with midazolam at a dose of
0.1 mg/kg, phenobarbital was administered by orogastric
route at a loading dose of 20 mg/kg. Serum phenobarbital
concentrations were measured at 0.5, 3, 6, and 12 hours
after the loading. Serum phenobarbital levels between 10-
30 ÎŒg/mL were considered as the therapeutic range.
Results The serum phenobarbital levels reached therapeutic
values in 9 (31%), 19 (66%), 21 (72%), and 23 (79%)
patients at 0.5, 3, 6, and 12 hours after loading, respectively,
while they did not reach therapeutic values in 6 patients
(21%) after 12 hours. Four of the patients in whom there
was no increase in serum phenobarbital levels had hypoxic-
ischemic encephalopathy.
Conclusion Enteral loading of phenobarbital can achieve
therapeutic serum levels in the large majority of newborn
babies with seizure and may be safely used in babies with
the intact gastrointestinal tract
Superconducting MgB(2) films via precursor post-processing approach
Superconducting MgB(2) films with Tc = 38.6 K were prepared using a
precursor-deposition, ex-situ post-processing approach. Precursor films of
boron, ~0.5 micrometer thick, were deposited onto Al(2)O(3) (102) substrates by
e-beam evaporation; a post-anneal at 890 deg C in the presence of bulk MgB(2)
and Mg metal produced highly crystalline MgB(2) films. X-ray diffraction
indicated that the films exhibit some degree of c-axis alignment, but are
randomly oriented in-plane. Transport current measurements of the
superconducting properties show high values of the critical current density and
yield an irreversibility line that exceeds that determined by magnetic
measurements on bulk polycrystalline materials.Comment: PDF file with 10 pages total, including 4 figure
Impact of an interatrial shunt device on survival and heart failure hospitalization in patients with preserved ejection fraction
Aims:
Impaired left ventricular diastolic function leading to elevated left atrial pressures, particularly during exertion, is a key driver of symptoms and outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Insertion of an interatrial shunt device (IASD) to reduce left atrial pressure in HFpEF has been shown to be associated with shortâterm haemodynamic and symptomatic benefit. We aimed to investigate the potential effects of IASD placement on HFpEF survival and heart failure hospitalization (HFH).
Methods and results:
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients participating in the Reduce Elevated Left Atrial Pressure in Patients with Heart Failure study (Corvia Medical) of an IASD were followed for a median duration of 739 days. The theoretical impact of IASD implantation on HFpEF mortality was investigated by comparing the observed survival of the study cohort with the survival predicted from baseline data using the Metaâanalysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure heart failure risk survival score. Baseline and postâIASD implant parameters associated with HFH were also investigated. Based upon the individual baseline demographic and cardiovascular profile of the study cohort, the Metaâanalysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure scoreâpredicted mortality was 10.2/100 pt years. The observed mortality rate of the IASDâtreated cohort was 3.4/100 pt years, representing a 33% lower rate (P = 0.02). By KaplanâMeier analysis, the observed survival in IASD patients was greater than predicted (P = 0.014). Baseline parameters were not predictive of future HFH events; however, poorer exercise tolerance and a higher workloadâcorrected exercise pulmonary capillary wedge pressure at the 6 months postâIASD study were associated with HFH.
Conclusions:
The current study suggests IASD implantation may be associated with a reduction in mortality in HFpEF. Largeâscale ongoing randomized studies are required to confirm the potential benefit of this therapy
Enhanced firing of locus coeruleus neurons and SK channel dysfunction are conserved in distinct models of prodromal Parkinson's disease
Parkinsonâs disease (PD) is clinically defined by the presence of the cardinal motor symptoms, which are associated with a loss of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). While SNpc neurons serve as the prototypical cell-type to study cellular vulnerability in PD, there is an unmet need to extent our efforts to other neurons at risk. The noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) represents one of the first brain structures affected in Parkinsonâs disease (PD) and plays not only a crucial role for the evolving non-motor symptomatology, but it is also believed to contribute to disease progression by efferent noradrenergic deficiency. Therefore, we sought to characterize the electrophysiological properties of LC neurons in two distinct PD models: (1) in an in vivo mouse model of focal α-synuclein overexpression; and (2) in an in vitro rotenone-induced PD model. Despite the fundamental differences of these two PD models, α-synuclein overexpression as well as rotenone exposure led to an accelerated autonomous pacemaker frequency of LC neurons, accompanied by severe alterations of the afterhyperpolarization amplitude. On the mechanistic side, we suggest that Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK) channels are mediators of the increased LC neuronal excitability, as pharmacological activation of these channels is sufficient to prevent increased LC pacemaking and subsequent neuronal loss in the LC following in vitro rotenone exposure. These findings suggest a role of SK channels in PD by linking α-synuclein- and rotenone-induced changes in LC firing rate to SK channel dysfunction
Olfactory Nomenclature: An Orchestrated Effort to Clarify Terms and Definitions of Dysosmia, Anosmia, Hyposmia, Normosmia, Hyperosmia, Olfactory Intolerance, Parosmia, and Phantosmia/Olfactory Hallucination
BACKGROUND: Definitions are essential for effective communication and discourse, particularly in science. They allow the shared understanding of a thought or idea, generalization of knowledge, and comparison across scientific investigation. The current terms describing olfactory dysfunction are vague and overlapping. SUMMARY: As a group of clinical olfactory researchers, we propose the standardization of the terms "dysosmia," "anosmia," "hyposmia," "normosmia," "hyperosmia," "olfactory intolerance," "parosmia," and "phantosmia" (or "olfactory hallucination") in olfaction-related communication, with specific definitions in this text. KEY MESSAGES: The words included in this paper were determined as those which are most frequently used in the context of olfactory function and dysfunction, in both clinical and research settings. Despite widespread use in publications, however, there still exists some disagreement in the literature regarding the definitions of terms related to olfaction. Multiple overlapping and imprecise terms that are currently in use are confusing and hinder clarity and universal understanding of these concepts. There is a pressing need to have a unified agreement on the definitions of these olfactory terms by researchers working in the field of chemosensory sciences. With the increased interest in olfaction, precise use of these terms will improve the ability to integrate and advance knowledge in this field
Hepatitis C Virus Induced a Novel Apoptosis-Like Death of Pancreatic Beta Cells through a Caspase 3-Dependent Pathway
Epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. Pancreatic beta cell failure is central to the progression of type 2 diabetes. Using virus infection system, we investigate the influence of HCV infection on the fate of the insulinoma cell line, MIN6. Our experiments demonstrate that the HCV virion itself is indispensable and has a dose- and time-dependent cytopathic effect on the cells. HCV infection inhibits cell proliferation and induces death of MIN6 cells with apoptotic characteristics, including cell surface exposure of phosphatidylserine, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, and DNA fragmentation in the nucleus. However, the fact that HCV-infected cells exhibit a dilated, low-density nucleus with intact plasma and nuclear membrane indicates that a novel apoptosis-like death occurs. HCV infection also causes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Further, HCV RNA replication was detected in MIN6 cells, although the infection efficiency is very low and no progeny virus particle generates. Taken together, our data suggest that HCV infection induces death of pancreatic beta cells through an ER stress-involved, caspase 3-dependent, special pathway
Olfactory nomenclature: An orchestrated effort to clarify terms and definitions of dysosmia, anosmia, hyposmia, normosmia, hyperosmia, olfactory intolerance, parosmia, and phantosmia/olfactory hallucination
Background: Definitions are essential for effective communication and discourse, particularly in science. They allow the shared understanding of a thought or idea, generalization of knowledge, and comparison across scientific investigation. The current terms describing olfactory dysfunction are vague and overlapping. Summary: As a group of clinical olfactory researchers, we propose the standardization of the terms âdysosmia,â âanosmia,â âhyposmia,â ânormosmia,â âhyperosmia,â âolfactory intolerance,â âparosmia,â and âphantosmiaâ (or âolfactory hallucinationâ) in olfaction-related communication, with specific definitions in this text. Key Messages: The words included in this paper were determined as those which are most frequently used in the context of olfactory function and dysfunction, in both clinical and research settings. Despite widespread use in publications, however, there still exists some disagreement in the literature regarding the definitions of terms related to olfaction. Multiple overlapping and imprecise terms that are currently in use are confusing and hinder clarity and universal understanding of these concepts. There is a pressing need to have a unified agreement on the definitions of these olfactory terms by researchers working in the field of chemosensory sciences. With the increased interest in olfaction, precise use of these terms will improve the ability to integrate and advance knowledge in this field
The Double-stranded RNAâdependent Protein Kinase Differentially Regulates Insulin Receptor Substrates 1 and 2 in HepG2 Cells
The RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), initially known as a virus infection response protein, is found to differentially regulate two major players in the insulin signaling pathway, IRS1 and IRS2. PKR up-regulates the inhibitory phosphorylation of IRS1 and the expression of IRS2 at the transcriptional level
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