242 research outputs found
Reduction in intracellular HCV RNA and virus protein expression in human hepatoma cells following treatment with 2âČ-O-methyl-modified anti-core deoxyribozyme
AbstractHCV RNA is gaining greater consideration as a principal target for newer HCV antivirals because its destruction has the potential of eliminating the virus. These newer antivirals include deoxyribozymes (Dz), which are small single-stranded DNA molecules that cleave homologous RNA targets. Using a liver cell model containing functional genomic-length HCV-1b RNA we tested whether 2âČ-O-methyl-modified Dz, designed to recognize a highly-conserved RNA sequence located within the core-E1 coding region, could recognize and cleave its target sequence in the structural context of a functional HCV RNA molecule. Dz858-4-OMe contains four 2âČ-O-methyl nucleotide derivatives consecutively located on the distal ends of its two annealing arms. Intracellular HCV RNA, core protein and HCV antigen expression were reduced by 63%, 87% and 84%, respectively, when HCV RNA was challenged 6 h post-transfection with Dz858-4-OMe. The observed reduction of intracellular HCV RNA and protein by Dz858-4-OMe suggests that it may constitute an attractive HCV antiviral
Technology: A Tool for Knowledge Construction in a Reggio Emilia Inspired Teacher Education Program
This article describes the application of technology in Reggio Emilia inspired early childhood and teacher education programs at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. We have found that technology used in a Reggio inspired program can be a valuable tool for the representation and organization of ideas, collaboration among a specific learning community, visualization and reflection on thinking, and communication of learning to the broader community. Our experiences and reflections suggest that the integration of technology in a Reggio inspired curriculum supports knowledge construction of both children and student teachers.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42650/1/10643_2004_Article_477971.pd
Using Technology in Reggio-Inspired Long-Term Projects
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42648/1/10643_2004_Article_290536.pd
2015 ACVIM Small Animal Consensus Statement on Seizure Management in Dogs
This report represents a scientific and working clinical consensus statement on seizure management in dogs based on current literature and clinical expertise. The goal was to establish guidelines for a predetermined, concise, and logical sequential approach to chronic seizure management starting with seizure identification and diagnosis (not included in this report), reviewing decisionâmaking, treatment strategies, focusing on issues related to chronic antiepileptic drug treatment response and monitoring, and guidelines to enhance patient response and quality of life. Ultimately, we hope to provide a foundation for ongoing and future clinical epilepsy research in veterinary medicine
A prospective cohort study assessing clinical referral management & workforce allocation within a UK regional medical genetics service
Abstract
Ensuring patient access to genomic information in the face of increasing demand requires clinicians to develop innovative ways of working. This paper presents the first empirical prospective observational cohort study of UK multi-disciplinary genetic service delivery. It describes and explores collaborative working practices including the utilisation and role of clinical geneticists and non-medical genetic counsellors. Six hundred and fifty new patients referred to a regional genetics service were tracked through 850 clinical contacts until discharge. Referral decisions regarding allocation of lead health professional assigned to the case were monitored, including the use of initial clinical contact guidelines. Significant differences were found in the cases led by genetic counsellors and those led by clinical geneticists. Around a sixth, 16.8% (109/650) of referrals were dealt with by a letter back to the referrer or re-directed to another service provider and 14.8% (80/541) of the remaining patients chose not to schedule an appointment. Of the remaining 461 patients, genetic counsellors were allocated as lead health professional for 46.2% (213/461). A further 61 patients did not attend. Of those who did, 86% (345/400) were discharged after one or two appointments. Genetic counsellors contributed to 95% (784/825) of total patient contacts. They provided 93.7% (395/432) of initial contacts and 26.8% (106/395) of patients were discharged at that point. The information from this study informed a planned service re-design. More research is needed to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of different models of collaborative multi-disciplinary working within genetics services. Keywords (MeSH terms)
Genetic Services, Genetic Counseling, Interdisciplinary Communication, Cohort Studies, Delivery of Healthcare, Referral and Consultation
International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force consensus proposal: Medical treatment of canine epilepsy in Europe
In Europe, the number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) licensed for dogs has grown considerably over the last years. Nevertheless, the same questions remain, which include, 1) when to start treatment, 2) which drug is best used initially, 3) which adjunctive AED can be advised if treatment with the initial drug is unsatisfactory, and 4) when treatment changes should be considered. In this consensus proposal, an overview is given on the aim of AED treatment, when to start long-term treatment in canine epilepsy and which veterinary AEDs are currently in use for dogs. The consensus proposal for drug treatment protocols, 1) is based on current published evidence-based literature, 2) considers the current legal framework of the cascade regulation for the prescription of veterinary drugs in Europe, and 3) reflects the authorsâ experience. With this paper it is aimed to provide a consensus for the management of canine idiopathic epilepsy. Furthermore, for the management of structural epilepsy AEDs are inevitable in addition to treating the underlying cause, if possible
Gamma-ray Observations Under Bright Moonlight with VERITAS
Imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) are equipped with sensitive
photomultiplier tube (PMT) cameras. Exposure to high levels of background
illumination degrades the efficiency of and potentially destroys these
photo-detectors over time, so IACTs cannot be operated in the same
configuration in the presence of bright moonlight as under dark skies. Since
September 2012, observations have been carried out with the VERITAS IACTs under
bright moonlight (defined as about three times the night-sky-background (NSB)
of a dark extragalactic field, typically occurring when Moon illumination >
35%) in two observing modes, firstly by reducing the voltage applied to the
PMTs and, secondly, with the addition of ultra-violet (UV) bandpass filters to
the cameras. This has allowed observations at up to about 30 times previous NSB
levels (around 80% Moon illumination), resulting in 30% more observing time
between the two modes over the course of a year. These additional observations
have already allowed for the detection of a flare from the 1ES 1727+502 and for
an observing program targeting a measurement of the cosmic-ray positron
fraction. We provide details of these new observing modes and their performance
relative to the standard VERITAS observations
Dark Matter Constraints from a Joint Analysis of Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy Observations with VERITAS
We present constraints on the annihilation cross section of WIMP dark matter
based on the joint statistical analysis of four dwarf galaxies with VERITAS.
These results are derived from an optimized photon weighting statistical
technique that improves on standard imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope
(IACT) analyses by utilizing the spectral and spatial properties of individual
photon events. We report on the results of 230 hours of observations of
five dwarf galaxies and the joint statistical analysis of four of the dwarf
galaxies. We find no evidence of gamma-ray emission from any individual dwarf
nor in the joint analysis. The derived upper limit on the dark matter
annihilation cross section from the joint analysis is at 1 TeV for the bottom quark () final state,
at 1 TeV for the tau lepton
() final state and at 1 TeV for the gauge boson () final state.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, published in PRD, Ascii tables containing
annihilation cross sections limits are available for download as ancillary
files with readme.txt file description of limit
Gamma-ray observations of Tycho's SNR with VERITAS and Fermi
High-energy gamma-ray emission from supernova remnants (SNRs) has provided a
unique perspective for studies of Galactic cosmic-ray acceleration. Tycho's SNR
is a particularly good target because it is a young, type Ia SNR that is
well-studied over a wide range of energies and located in a relatively clean
environment. Since the detection of gamma-ray emission from Tycho's SNR by
VERITAS and Fermi-LAT, there have been several theoretical models proposed to
explain its broadband emission and high-energy morphology. We report on an
update to the gamma-ray measurements of Tycho's SNR with 147 hours of VERITAS
and 84 months of Fermi-LAT observations, which represents about a factor of two
increase in exposure over previously published data. About half of the VERITAS
data benefited from a camera upgrade, which has made it possible to extend the
TeV measurements toward lower energies. The TeV spectral index measured by
VERITAS is consistent with previous results, but the expanded energy range
softens a straight power-law fit. At energies higher than 400 GeV, the
power-law index is . It
is also softer than the spectral index in the GeV energy range, , measured by this study using
Fermi--LAT data. The centroid position of the gamma-ray emission is coincident
with the center of the remnant, as well as with the centroid measurement of
Fermi--LAT above 1 GeV. The results are consistent with an SNR shell origin of
the emission, as many models assume. The updated spectrum points to a lower
maximum particle energy than has been suggested previously.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa
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