619 research outputs found
Improvement of functional bloating by an enterovaccine: a preliminary study
Background: bloating is a fastidious symptom reported by many patients who also have other gastrointestinal functional dis orders. Bloating is more common in women, and it is often asso ciated with meals and improves or disappears overnight. No spe cific treatments are to date available for this disturbing symptom. Aims: to evaluate the effects of an oral enterovaccine (Colifag ina ® ) on bloating and other abdominal symptoms in patients with prevalent complaints of functional bloating. Patients and methods: one hundred and forty-eight patients with functional bloating according to Rome III criteria were re cruited. Questionnaires and a VAS scale on their symptoms were administered at baseline and after four weeks of therapy with Colifagina ® . Results: after treatment, a significant amelioration of bloating (p < 0.0001), abdominal pain (p < 0.0001) and flatus (p < 0.0001) was observed; nausea and vomiting scores were not sig nificantly different at the end of the treatment. Subjective wellbe ing was also generally improved (p < 0.001) in treated patients. Conclusion: treatment with an enterovaccine may help im prove symptoms in patients with functional bloating
Endocannabinoid Signaling in Embryonic Neuronal Motility and Cell-Cell Contact - Role of mGluR5 and TRPC3 Channels
Cell-cell communication plays a central role in the guidance of migrating neuronal precursor cells during the development of the cerebral cortex. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) have previously been shown to be one of the central factors regulating neuronal migration. In this study the effects of eCBs on different parameters, expected to affect embryonic cortical neuronal motility have been analyzed in neurosphere-derived neuroblasts using time-lapse microscopy. Increased endogenous production of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) causes bursts of neuroblast motility. The neuroblasts move longer distances and show a low frequency of turning, and the number of neuron-neuron contacts are reduced. Similar changes occur interfering with the function of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) or its transducer canonical transient receptor potential channel 3 (TRPC3) or the neuregulin receptor ErbB4. Blocking of 2-AG production reverses these effects. The data suggest that eCB-regulated neuronal motility is controlled by mGluR5/TRPC3 activity possibly via NRG/ErbB4 signaling. (C) 2018 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe
Search for the genome of bovine herpesvirus types 1, 4 and 5 in bovine semen
Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) causes respiratory and reproductive disorders in cattle. Recently, bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) and bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BoHV-4) have been identified to be associated with genital disease. In this study, the presence of the genome of BoHV-1, BoHV-4 and BoHV-5 in bovine semen of Argentinean and international origin was analyzed by PCR assays. The most important finding of this study is the detection of the genome of BoHV-1 and BoHV-4 in semen of bulls maintained at artificial insemination centers. It is particularly relevant that BoHV-1 DNA was also identified in one sample of international origin suggesting the need for extensive quality control measures on international transport of bovine semen.Fil: Moran, P. E.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires.. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Favier, P. A.. Ministerio de Ciencia, TecnologÃa e Innovación Productiva. Agencia Nacional de Promoción CientÃfica y Tecnológica. Fondo para la Investigación CientÃfica y Tecnológica; ArgentinaFil: Lomonaco, M.. Instituto Nacional de TecnologÃa Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Catena, MarÃa. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires.. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Chiapparrone, MarÃa Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas. Centro CientÃfico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires.. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Odeon, Anselmo Carlos. Instituto Nacional de TecnologÃa Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Verna, Andrea Elizabeth. Instituto Nacional de TecnologÃa Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Sandra. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas. Centro CientÃfico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentin
Rewriting Logic Semantics of a Plan Execution Language
The Plan Execution Interchange Language (PLEXIL) is a synchronous language
developed by NASA to support autonomous spacecraft operations. In this paper,
we propose a rewriting logic semantics of PLEXIL in Maude, a high-performance
logical engine. The rewriting logic semantics is by itself a formal interpreter
of the language and can be used as a semantic benchmark for the implementation
of PLEXIL executives. The implementation in Maude has the additional benefit of
making available to PLEXIL designers and developers all the formal analysis and
verification tools provided by Maude. The formalization of the PLEXIL semantics
in rewriting logic poses an interesting challenge due to the synchronous nature
of the language and the prioritized rules defining its semantics. To overcome
this difficulty, we propose a general procedure for simulating synchronous set
relations in rewriting logic that is sound and, for deterministic relations,
complete. We also report on two issues at the design level of the original
PLEXIL semantics that were identified with the help of the executable
specification in Maude
PEDOT:PSS Morphostructure and ion-to-electron transduction and amplification mechanisms in organic electrochemical transistors
Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) represent a powerful and versatile type of organic-based device, widely used in biosensing and bioelectronics due to potential advantages in terms of cost, sensitivity, and system integration. The benchmark organic semiconductor they are based on is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), the electrical properties of which are reported to be strongly dependent on film morphology and structure. In particular, the literature demonstrates that film processing induces morphostructural changes in terms of conformational rearrangements in the PEDOT:PSS in-plane phase segregation and out-of-plane vertical separation between adjacent PEDOT-rich domains. Here, taking into account these indications, we show the thickness-dependent operation of OECTs, contextualizing it in terms of the role played by PEDOT:PSS film thickness in promoting film microstructure tuning upon controlled-atmosphere long-lasting thermal annealing (LTA). To do this, we compared the LTA-OECT response to that of OECTs with comparable channel thicknesses that were exposed to a rapid thermal annealing (RTA). We show that the LTA process on thicker films provided OECTs with an enhanced amplification capability. Conversely, on lower thicknesses, the LTA process induced a higher charge carrier modulation when the device was operated in sensing mode. The provided experimental characterization also shows how to optimize the OECT response by combining the control of the microstructure via solution processing and the effect of postdeposition processing
Moving beyond the new normal: Understanding Flexible Learning Options (FLOs) on the parameters of Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP)
The purpose of this study is to understand Flexible Learning Options (FLOs) and how they are used with Grade 12 Senior High School students at PAU Excellencia Global Academy Foundation, Inc. after the pandemic. In order to collect data for this study, modified adapted questionnaires were used in conjunction with the descriptive-survey methodology. The data were then processed using simple percentages, the weighted mean, and the t-test. These conclusions based on the provided data are as follows: The student’s status of the implementation of the school’s policies on alternative learning modality and learning continuity plan has an average weighted mean of 4.12 interpreted as Agree, with the alternative learning modality on modules distribution receiving the lowest mean and being interpreted as Agree. The teacher’s perception is interpreted as Agree by the average weighted mean of 4.20. Students and teachers have very different perspectives on how the school’s regulations regarding alternate learning modalities are implemented, whereas they have quite similar perspectives on how well students are following the basic education learning continuity plan. Following that, a plan of action should be created and put into effect using the school’s alternate delivery modality and basic education learning continuity policies
A National Survey of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance Practices Following Liver Transplantation
Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important predictor of survival after liver transplantation (LT). Recent studies show that early diagnosis, aggressive treatment, and surveillance may improve outcomes after HCC recurrence. We sought to determine the current practices and policies regarding surveillance for HCC recurrence after LT.
Methods: We conducted a web-based national survey of adult liver transplant centers in the United States to capture center-specific details of HCC surveillance post-LT. Responses were analyzed to generate numerical and graphical summaries.
Results: Of 101 eligible adult liver transplant centers, 48 (48%) centers across the United States responded to the survey. Among the participating centers, 79% stratified transplant recipients for HCC recurrence risk, while 19% did not have any risk stratification protocol. Explant microvascular invasion (mVI) was the most common factor used in risk stratification. Use of pretransplant serum biomarkers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was variable, with only 48% of the participating centers reporting specific "cutoff" values. While a majority of centers (88%) reported having a routine imaging protocol for HCC recurrence surveillance, there was considerable heterogeneity in terms of frequency and duration of such surveillance. Of the centers that did risk stratify patients to identify those at higher risk of HCC recurrence, about 50% did not change their surveillance protocol.
Conclusions: Our study affirms significant variability in center practices, and our results reflect the need for high-quality studies to guide risk stratification and surveillance for HCC recurrence
timed flat infusion tfi 5 fluorouracil with irinotecan and oxaliplatin in pancreatic adenocarcinomas a single institution experience with fir fox regimen
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