46 research outputs found
A prototype of an Electronic Pegboard Test to measure Hand-Time Dexterity with impaired hand functionality
This paper proposes an electronic prototype of the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT), which is normally used to test the presence of hand dexterity. The prototype imitates the geometrical dimensions of an on-the-market GPT device, but it is electronic, not manual like the one available now for users. The suggested electronic GPT device makes automated time calculation between placing the first and the last peg in their designated locations, instead of manually observing a stopwatch normally used during the GPT. The electronic GPT prototype consists of a fabricated wooden box, electronics (switches and microcontroller), and liquid crystal display (LCD). A set of
40 normal volunteers, 20 females and 20 males, tested the designed prototype. A set of six volunteers with chronic medical conditions also participated in evaluating the proposed model. The results on normal volunteers showed that the proposed electronic GPT device yielded time calculations that match the population mean value of similar calculations by the GPT device. The one-sample t-test showed no significant difference in calculations between the new electronic GPT and the manual GPT device. The p-value was much higher than 0.05, indicating the possible use of the suggested electronic GPT device
İki küçük avcının korkunç sergüzeştleri
M. K.'nın Yeni Yol'da tefrika edilen İki Küçük Avcının Korkunç Sergüzeştleri adlı romanıArşivdeki eksikler nedeniyle romanın tam metni verilememiştir. Bkz. Tefrika bilgi form
The ubiquitin-like molecule interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is a potential prognostic marker in human breast cancer
INTRODUCTION: ISG15 is an ubiquitin-like molecule that is strongly upregulated by type I interferons as a primary response to diverse microbial and cellular stress stimuli. However, alterations in the ISG15 signalling pathway have also been found in several human tumour entities. To the best of our knowledge, in the current study we present for the first time a systematic characterisation of ISG15 expression in human breast cancer and normal breast tissue both at the mRNA and protein level. METHOD: Using semiquantitative real-time PCR, cDNA dot-blot hybridisation and immunohistochemistry, we systematically analysed ISG15 expression in invasive breast carcinomas (n = 910) and normal breast tissues (n = 135). ISG15 protein expression was analysed in two independent cohorts on tissue microarrays; in an initial evaluation set of 179 breast carcinomas and 51 normal breast tissues; and in a second large validation set of 646 breast carcinomas and 10 normal breast tissues. In addition, a collection of benign and malignant mammary cell lines (n = 9) were investigated for ISG15 expression. RESULTS: ISG15 was overexpressed in breast carcinoma cells compared with normal breast tissue, both at the RNA and protein level. Recurrence-free (p = 0.030), event-free (p = 0.001) and overall (p = 0.001) survival analyses showed a significant correlation between ISG15 overexpression and unfavourable prognosis. CONCLUSION: Therefore, ISG15 may represent a novel breast tumour marker with prognostic significance and may be helpful in selecting patients for and predicting response to the treatment of human breast cancer
Supplementary Material for: Hypoxia Induces the Expression of Transketolase-Like 1 in Human Colorectal Cancer
<b><i>Background and Aims:</i></b> Transketolase-like (TKTL) 1 is one of the key enzymes for anaerobic sugar degradation even in the presence of oxygen (aerobic glycolysis). Transketolase-dependent reactions supply malignant tumors with ribose and NADPH. Therefore, TKTL1 activity could be crucial for tumor proliferation and survival. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of TKTL1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its regulation under hypoxic conditions. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We studied TKTL1 mRNA and protein expression in CRC cell lines and human CRC biopsies by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Regulation of TKTL1 under oxygen depletion was analyzed by cultivating cells either in a three-dimensional spheroid model or in a hypoxia incubator chamber. <b><i>Results:</i></b> TKTL1 mRNA was heterogeneously expressed in monolayers of cells with high levels in HT-29 and SW480. TKTL1 protein was also clearly detectable in HT-29 and SW480. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α protein expression correlated with TKTL1 protein expression in SW480 spheroids over time. On the one hand, induction of hypoxia in T84 spheroids did not induce TKTL1; on the other hand, hypoxia by incubation at 1% O<sub>2</sub> in a hypoxia incubator chamber clearly showed an upregulation of TKTL1. In 50% of CRC patients, TKTL1 protein expression was upregulated in tumor compared to non-tumor tissue. The immunohistochemical staining of TKTL1 in CRC patient samples resulted in 14 positive and 30 negative samples. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> TKTL1 expression correlated with HIF-1α protein expression and was induced upon hypoxic conditions which could facilitate energy supply to tumors under these circumstances
Differential patterns of serum concentration and adipose tissue expression of chemerin in obesity: Adipose depot specificity and gender dimorphism
Chemerin, a recognized chemoattractant, is expressed in adipose tissue
and plays a role in adipocytes differentiation and metabolism. Gender-
and adipose tissue-specific differences in human chemerin expression
have not been well characterized. Therefore, these differences were
assessed in the present study. The body mass index (BMI) and the
circulating levels of chemerin and other inflammatory, adiposity and
insulin resistance markers were assessed in female and male adults of
varying degree of obesity. Chemerin mRNA expression was also measured in
paired subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue samples obtained from a
subset of the study subjects. Serum chemerin concentrations correlated
positively with BMI and serum leptin levels and negatively with high
density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels. No correlation was found
between serum chemerin concentrations and fasting glucose, total
cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides,
insulin, C-reactive protein or adiponectin. Similarly, no relation was
observed with the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance
(HOMA-IR) values. Gender- and adipose tissue-specific differences were
observed in chemerin mRNA expression levels, with expression
significantly higher in women than men and in subcutaneous than visceral
adipose tissue. Interestingly, we found a significant negative
correlation between circulating chemerin levels and chemerin mRNA
expression in subcutaneous fat. Among the subjects studied, circulating
chemerin levels were associated with obesity markers but not with
markers of insulin resistance. At the tissue level, fat depot-specific
differential regulation of chemerin mRNA expression might contribute to
the distinctive roles of subcutaneous vs. visceral adipose tissue in
human obesity