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1.
Mol Psychiatry ; 20(3): 298-310, 2015 Mar.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25560757

RESUMEN

A single injection of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists produces a rapid antidepressant response. Lasting changes in the synapse structure and composition underlie the effectiveness of these drugs. We recently discovered that rapid antidepressants cause a shift in the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABABR) signaling pathway, such that GABABR activation shifts from opening inwardly rectifiying potassium channels (Kir/GIRK) to increasing resting dendritic calcium signal and mammalian Target of Rapamycin activity. However, little is known about the molecular and biochemical mechanisms that initiate this shift. Herein, we show that GABABR signaling to Kir3 (GIRK) channels decreases with NMDAR blockade. Blocking NMDAR signaling stabilizes the adaptor protein 14-3-3η, which decouples GABABR signaling from Kir3 and is required for the rapid antidepressant efficacy. Consistent with these results, we find that key proteins involved in GABABR signaling bidirectionally change in a depression model and with rapid antidepressants. In socially defeated rodents, a model for depression, GABABR and 14-3-3η levels decrease in the hippocampus. The NMDAR antagonists AP5 and Ro-25-6981, acting as rapid antidepressants, increase GABABR and 14-3-3η expression and decrease Kir3.2. Taken together, these data suggest that the shift in GABABR function requires a loss of GABABR-Kir3 channel activity mediated by 14-3-3η. Our findings support a central role for 14-3-3η in the efficacy of rapid antidepressants and define a critical molecular mechanism for activity-dependent alterations in GABABR signaling.


Asunto(s)
Proteínas 14-3-3/metabolismo , Antidepresivos/farmacología , Canales de Potasio Rectificados Internamente Asociados a la Proteína G/metabolismo , Neuronas/efectos de los fármacos , Receptores de GABA-B/metabolismo , Proteínas 14-3-3/genética , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Células Cultivadas , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Antagonistas de Aminoácidos Excitadores/farmacología , Antagonistas de Aminoácidos Excitadores/uso terapéutico , Canales de Potasio Rectificados Internamente Asociados a la Proteína G/genética , Inmunoprecipitación , Masculino , Ratones , Fenoles/farmacología , Fenoles/uso terapéutico , Piperidinas/farmacología , Piperidinas/uso terapéutico , Corteza Prefrontal/citología , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Receptores de GABA-B/genética , Estrés Psicológico/tratamiento farmacológico , Estrés Psicológico/patología , Estrés Psicológico/fisiopatología , Natación/psicología , Sinaptosomas/efectos de los fármacos , Sinaptosomas/metabolismo , Transducción Genética , Valina/análogos & derivados , Valina/farmacología , Valina/uso terapéutico
2.
Epidemiol Infect ; 144(10): 2184-90, 2016 07.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26947456

RESUMEN

Patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones, which were traditionally seen in the community setting (USA400/CMRSA7 and USA300/CMRSA10), are often identified as hospital-acquired (HA) infections using Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) surveillance definitions. This study examined the demographics and healthcare risk factors of patients with HA-MRSA to help understand if community MRSA clones are from a source internal or external to the hospital setting. Despite USA300/CMRSA10 being the predominant clone in Alberta, hospital clones (USA100/CMRSA2) still dominated in the acute care setting. In the Alberta hospitalized population, patients with USA400/CMRSA7 and USA300/CMRSA10 clones were significantly younger, had fewer comorbidities, and a greater proportion had none or ambulatory care-only healthcare exposure. These findings suggest that there are two distinct populations of HA-MRSA patients, and the patients with USA400/CMRSA7 and USA300/CMRSA10 clones identified in hospital more greatly resemble patients affected by those clones in the community. It is possible that epidemiological assessment overidentifies HA acquisition of MRSA in patients unscreened for MRSA on admission to acute care.


Asunto(s)
Antibacterianos/farmacología , Infección Hospitalaria/epidemiología , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente a Meticilina/efectos de los fármacos , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/epidemiología , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Alberta/epidemiología , Infección Hospitalaria/microbiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente a Meticilina/genética , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Socioeconómicos , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/microbiología
4.
Front Microbiol ; 15: 1348171, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38389541

RESUMEN

Introduction: Intensive beef cattle production systems are frequently implicated as a source of bacteria that can be transferred to nearby humans and animals via effluent water, manure used as fertilizer, or airborne particulate matter. It is crucial to understand microbial population dynamics due to manure pack desiccation, antibiotic usage, and antibiotic alternatives within beef cattle and their associated feedyard environment. Understanding how bacterial communities change in the presence of antibiotics can also improve management practices for reducing the spread of foodborne bacteria. Methods: In this study, we aimed to compare the microbiomes within cattle feces, the feedyard environment and artificially produced airborne particulate matter as a function of pen change and treatment with tylosin or probiotics. We utilized 16S rRNA sequencing to compare bacterial communities among sample types, study days, and treatment groups. Results: Bacterial community diversity varied as a function of sampling day and pen change (old or new) within fecal and manure pack samples. Manure pack samples from old pens and new pens contained diverse communities of bacteria on days 0 and 84; however, by day 119 of the study these taxonomic differences were less evident. Particulate matter samples exhibited significant differences in community diversity and predominant bacterial taxa compared to the manure pack they originated from. Treatment with tylosin did not meaningfully impact bacterial communities among fecal, environmental, or particulate matter samples; however, minor differences in bacterial community structure were observed in feces from cattle treated with probiotics. Discussion: This study was the first to characterize and compare microbial communities within feces, manure pack, and airborne particulate matter from the same location and as a function of tylosin and probiotic treatment, and pen change. Although fecal and environmental samples are commonly used in research studies and other monitoring programs to infer public health risk of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance determinants from feedyard environments, our study suggests that these samples may not be appropriate to infer public health risk associated with airborne particulate matter.

5.
BMJ Mil Health ; 169(e1): e24-e28, 2023 May.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33785588

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia impacting military occupational performances. Despite being a recognised disqualifying condition, there is no literature describing US military service members with AF. This study aims to describe members with AF diagnoses, the distribution of treatment strategies and associated deployment and retention rates. METHODS: Active duty service members identified with AF from 2004 to 2019 were investigated. Cardiovascular profiles, AF management strategies and military dispositions were assessed by electronic medical record review. RESULTS: 386 service members (mean age 35.0±9.4 years; 94% paroxysmal AF) with AF diagnoses were identified. 91 (24%) had hypertension followed by 75 (19%) with sleep apnoea. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc scores were low (0.39±0.65). Rhythm treatments were used in 173 (45%) followed by rate control strategies in 155 (40%). 161 (42%) underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). In subgroup analysis of 365 personnel, 147 (40%) deployed and 248 (68%) remained active duty after AF diagnosis. Deployment and retention rates did not differ between those who received no medical therapy, rate control or rhythm strategies (p=0.9039 and p=0.6192, respectively). PVI did not significantly impact deployment or retention rates (p=0.3903 and p=0.0929, respectively). CONCLUSION: Service members with AF are young with few AF risk factors. Rate and rhythm medical therapies were used evenly. Over two-thirds met retention standards and 40% deployed after diagnosis. There were no differences in deployment or retention between groups who receive rate therapy, rhythm medical therapy or PVI. Prospective evaluation of the efficacy of specific AF therapies on AF burden and symptomatology in service members is needed.


Asunto(s)
Fibrilación Atrial , Personal Militar , Venas Pulmonares , Humanos , Adulto , Fibrilación Atrial/diagnóstico , Resultado del Tratamiento , Factores de Riesgo
6.
Strabismus ; 31(1): 26-30, 2023 03.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36529745

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Acute acquired concomitant esotropia (AACE) is usually a benign form of strabismus that infrequently is associated with intracranial pathology. Clinicians have noted an increase in its incidence and theorize that it may be related to public health "lockdown" measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With an increased incidence of AACE clinicians must firstly differentiate AACE from common accommodative esotropia and secondly recognize AACE as a possible sign of serious neuropathology.Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a devastating diagnosis for affected families. Children typically present at age 6-7 years with cranial nerve palsies, long tract signs, and/or cerebellar signs. Diagnosis is made from characteristic findings on magnetic resonance brain imaging (MRI brain) and treatment includes radiotherapy and palliative care. Two years from diagnosis, 90% of affected children will have died from their disease. CASE SERIES: We present four cases that attended our pediatric ophthalmology clinic with AACE either as a presenting sign of DIPG or as a clinical finding following a DIPG diagnosis. Patient A (age 5 years) presented to the emergency eye clinic with sudden onset diplopia and intermittent esotropia. Suppression later developed, they had 0.00 logMAR visual acuity either eye, and bilateral physiological hypermetropia. MRI brain imaging requested as a result of the unusual presentation led to the DIPG diagnosis. The other 3 cases (ages 11, 5 & 5 years) were assessed post DIPG diagnosis and found to have an esotropia measuring bigger on 1/3-meter fixation than 6-meter fixation, full ocular motility, physiological hypermetropia or emmetropia, and visual acuity normal for age. Other than patient B (age 11 years), who had papilledema and gaze evoked nystagmus when they were assessed 2 weeks prior to death, no patient had any other clinical eye findings. CONCLUSIONS: This small series of 4 patients attending our clinic within a 12-month period supports the notion that children presenting with AACE should routinely be offered brain MRI. Not all children with DIPG-associated AACE have significant ophthalmic findings indicative of intracranial pathology. With the potential for increased incidence of AACE related to lockdowns, clinicians should be reminded of the infrequent possibility their patient has a more serious condition.


Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Glioma Pontino Intrínseco Difuso , Esotropía , Hiperopía , Estrabismo , Niño , Humanos , Preescolar , Esotropía/diagnóstico , Esotropía/etiología , Esotropía/cirugía , Glioma Pontino Intrínseco Difuso/complicaciones , Pandemias , COVID-19/complicaciones , Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles , Estrabismo/complicaciones , Enfermedad Aguda , Estudios Retrospectivos
7.
Animals (Basel) ; 13(20)2023 Oct 11.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37893894

RESUMEN

Post-harvest Salmonella mitigation techniques are insufficient at addressing Salmonella harbored in cattle lymph nodes, necessitating the exploration of pre-harvest alternatives that reduce Salmonella prior to dissemination to the lymph nodes. A 2 × 2, unbalanced experiment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of pre-harvest treatments applied to the pen surface for Salmonella mitigation in cattle. Treatments included manure slurry intended to mimic pen run-off water (n = 4 pens), a bacteriophage cocktail (n = 4), a combination of both treatments (n = 5), and a control group (n = 5) that received no treatment. Environment samples from 18 feedlot pens and fecal grabs, hide swabs, and subiliac lymph nodes from 178 cattle were collected and selectively enriched for Salmonella, and Salmonella isolates were sequenced. The combination treatment was most effective at reducing Salmonella, and the prevalence was significantly lower compared with the control group for rump swabs on Days 14 and 21. The treatment impact on Salmonella in the lymph nodes could not be determined due to low prevalence. The reduction on cattle hides suggests that bacteriophage or water treatments applied to the feedlot pen surface may reduce Salmonella populations in cattle during the pre-harvest period, resulting in reduced contamination during slaughter and processing.

8.
BMJ Open Ophthalmol ; 8(Suppl 3): A1, 2023 Oct.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37797997

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Prompt detection of childhood uveitis is key to minimising negative impact. From an internationally unique inception cohort, we report pathways to disease detection.UNICORNS is a national childhood non-infectious uveitis study with longitudinal collection of a standardised clinical dataset and patient reported outcomes. Descriptive analysis of baseline characteristics are reported.Amongst 150 recruited children (51% female, 31% non-white ethnicity) age at detection ranged from 2-18yrs (median 10). In 69%, uveitis was diagnosed following onset of symptoms: time from first symptoms to uveitis detection ranged from 0-739days (median 7days), with longer time to detection for those presenting initially to their general practitioner. Non symptomatic children were detected through JIA/other disease surveillance (16%), routine optometry review (5%) or child visual health screening (1%). Commonest underlying diagnoses at uveitis detection were JIA (17%), TINU (9%, higher than pre-pandemic reported UK disease frequency) and sarcoid (1%). 60% had no known systemic disease at uveitis detection. At disease detection, in at least one eye: 34% had structural complications (associated with greater time to detection - 17 days versus 4 days for uncomplicated presentation).The larger relative proportions of children with non-JIA uveitis reported here increase the importance of improving awareness of childhood uveitis amongst the wider clinical communities. There is scope for improvement of pathways to detection. Forthcoming analysis on the full cohort (251 recruited to date across 33 hospitals and 4 nations) will provide nationally representative data on management and the determinants of visual and broader developmental/well-being outcomes.


Asunto(s)
Artritis Juvenil , Uveítis , Niño , Humanos , Femenino , Preescolar , Adolescente , Masculino , Estudios de Cohortes , Artritis Juvenil/complicaciones , Uveítis/diagnóstico , Reino Unido/epidemiología
9.
Rev Sci Tech ; 31(1): 43-56, 2012 Apr.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22849267

RESUMEN

Antimicrobial agents that target the bacterial cell wall or cell membrane have been used effectively for the past 70 years. Among the agents that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis, the beta-lactam antibiotics have emerged into broad-spectrum agents that inhibit most pathogenic bacteria, but are now being threatened by the rapid spread of drug-inactivating beta-lactamases. Glycopeptides still retain high activity against staphylococci, but resistance among the enterococci has become a major problem. Recently, fosfomycin has been used in the treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Daptomycin, which targets both membrane function and peptidoglycan synthesis, is especially effective in treating staphylococcal infections. The polymyxin antibiotics that target cell membranes are being used more frequently to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. The ionophore antibiotics, used in veterinary medicine, target membranes in many microbial and animal species. Although increasing resistance is a continuing concern, these classes of bactericidal agents can provide highly effective antibiotics.


Asunto(s)
Antiinfecciosos/farmacología , Bacterias/efectos de los fármacos , Membrana Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Pared Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/química , Péptidos Catiónicos Antimicrobianos/farmacología , Bacterias/ultraestructura , Glicopéptidos/química , Glicopéptidos/farmacología , Humanos , Ionóforos/química , Ionóforos/farmacología , Lipopéptidos/química , Lipopéptidos/farmacología , Ácidos Fosforosos/química , Ácidos Fosforosos/farmacología , beta-Lactamas/química , beta-Lactamas/farmacología
10.
Med Phys ; 38(4): 2208-21, 2011 Apr.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21626955

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: The dosimetric accuracy of the recently released Acuros XB advanced dose calculation algorithm (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) is investigated for single radiation fields incident on homogeneous and heterogeneous geometries, and a comparison is made to the analytical anisotropic algorithm (AAA). METHODS: Ion chamber measurements for the 6 and 18 MV beams within a range of field sizes (from 4.0 x 4.0 to 30.0 x 30.0 cm2) are used to validate Acuros XB dose calculations within a unit density phantom. The dosimetric accuracy of Acuros XB in the presence of lung, low-density lung, air, and bone is determined using BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc calculations as a benchmark. Calculations using the AAA are included for reference to a current superposition/convolution standard. RESULTS: Basic open field tests in a homogeneous phantom reveal an Acuros XB agreement with measurement to within +/- 1.9% in the inner field region for all field sizes and energies. Calculations on a heterogeneous interface phantom were found to agree with Monte Carlo calculations to within +/- 2.0% (sigmaMC = 0.8%) in lung (p = 0.24 g cm(-3)) and within +/- 2.9% (sigmaMC = 0.8%) in low-density lung (p = 0.1 g cm(-3)). In comparison, differences of up to 10.2% and 17.5% in lung and low-density lung were observed in the equivalent AAA calculations. Acuros XB dose calculations performed on a phantom containing an air cavity (p = 0.001 g cm(-3)) were found to be within the range of +/- 1.5% to +/- 4.5% of the BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc calculated benchmark (sigmaMC = 0.8%) in the tissue above and below the air cavity. A comparison of Acuros XB dose calculations performed on a lung CT dataset with a BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc benchmark shows agreement within +/- 2%/2mm and indicates that the remaining differences are primarily a result of differences in physical material assignments within a CT dataset. CONCLUSIONS: By considering the fundamental particle interactions in matter based on theoretical interaction cross sections, the Acuros XB algorithm is capable of modeling radiotherapy dose deposition with accuracy only previously achievable with Monte Carlo techniques.


Asunto(s)
Método de Montecarlo , Fotones , Dosis de Radiación , Algoritmos , Huesos/diagnóstico por imagen , Humanos , Pulmón/diagnóstico por imagen , Fantasmas de Imagen , Radiometría , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X
11.
J Clin Microbiol ; 48(9): 3353-7, 2010 Sep.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20592149

RESUMEN

The susceptibility of 513 clinical isolates to doripenem was determined by broth microdilution, agar dilution, and Etest. Overall agreements for Etest and agar dilution MIC values compared to reference broth microdilution at +/-1 log(2) dilution were 88% and 94%, respectively. Etest MIC values demonstrated 98% agreement within +/-2 log(2) dilutions compared to the reference broth microdilution method.


Asunto(s)
Antibacterianos/farmacología , Carbapenémicos/farmacología , Bacterias Gramnegativas/efectos de los fármacos , Bacterias Grampositivas/efectos de los fármacos , Doripenem , Bacterias Gramnegativas/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por Bacterias Gramnegativas/microbiología , Bacterias Grampositivas/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por Bacterias Grampositivas/microbiología , Humanos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana/métodos
12.
Science ; 172(3982): 478-80, 1971 Apr 30.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-4323799

RESUMEN

Determination of dissociation constants by two different methods yield the following mean values in 20 millimolar phosphate, pH 7.0, 25 degrees C: 0.27 micromolar for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH); 0.29 micromolar for NADH with deuterium in the nicotinamide 4-B position (B-NADD); and 0.46 micromolar for NADH with deuterium in the nicotinamide 4-A position (A-NADD). These results indicate that dehydrogenases are capable of recognizing and distinguishing the appropriate hydrogen in the coenzyme already in the initial binding reaction.


Asunto(s)
Sitios de Unión , Deuterio , L-Lactato Deshidrogenasa/análisis , NAD/análisis , Fenómenos Químicos , Química Física , Cromatografía en Gel , Fluorometría , Isoenzimas , Cinética
13.
Clin Microbiol Infect ; 14 Suppl 1: 134-43, 2008 Jan.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18154537

RESUMEN

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) derived from the TEM-1 beta-lactamase were first identified in the USA in outbreak strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae in the middle to late 1980s, together with the SHV-5 ESBL. The TEM-10, TEM-12 and TEM-26 enzymes have remained in US hospitals, but have been joined by other ESBLs that are variants of the SHV-1 broad-spectrum beta-lactamase. In the most recent surveys from hospitals in the eastern part of the USA, the most prominent ESBLs have been the SHV-7 and SHV-12 enzymes. In Canada, a wider variety of ESBLs has been identified, with multiple members of the TEM, SHV and CTX-M classes being represented in surveillance isolates. SHV-type and CTX-M ESBLs have appeared in many Canadian isolates, with an outbreak of CTX-M-14-related enzymes from Calgary, but limited TEM-derived ESBLs. Surprisingly, few CTX-M ESBLs have yet been reported in the USA, in contrast to the rest of the world, where the CTX-M enzymes have become a predominant ESBL family.


Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Enterobacteriaceae/epidemiología , Enterobacteriaceae/efectos de los fármacos , Enterobacteriaceae/enzimología , beta-Lactamasas/biosíntesis , Sustitución de Aminoácidos , Canadá/epidemiología , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple/genética , Enterobacteriaceae/clasificación , Enterobacteriaceae/genética , Infecciones por Enterobacteriaceae/microbiología , Humanos , América del Norte/epidemiología , Vigilancia de la Población/métodos , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , beta-Lactamasas/clasificación , beta-Lactamasas/genética
14.
Phys Med Biol ; 53(19): N359-70, 2008 Oct 07.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18758001

RESUMEN

RapidArc radiotherapy technology from Varian Medical Systems is one of the most complex delivery systems currently available, and achieves an entire intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment in a single gantry rotation about the patient. Three dynamic parameters can be continuously varied to create IMRT dose distributions-the speed of rotation, beam shaping aperture and delivery dose rate. Modeling of RapidArc technology was incorporated within the existing Vancouver Island Monte Carlo (VIMC) system (Zavgorodni et al 2007 Radiother. Oncol. 84 S49, 2008 Proc. 16th Int. Conf. on Medical Physics). This process was named VIMC-Arc and has become an efficient framework for the verification of RapidArc treatment plans. VIMC-Arc is a fully automated system that constructs the Monte Carlo (MC) beam and patient models from a standard RapidArc DICOM dataset, simulates radiation transport, collects the resulting dose and converts the dose into DICOM format for import back into the treatment planning system (TPS). VIMC-Arc accommodates multiple arc IMRT deliveries and models gantry rotation as a series of segments with dynamic MLC motion within each segment. Several verification RapidArc plans were generated by the Eclipse TPS on a water-equivalent cylindrical phantom and re-calculated using VIMC-Arc. This includes one 'typical' RapidArc plan, one plan for dual arc treatment and one plan with 'avoidance' sectors. One RapidArc plan was also calculated on a DICOM patient CT dataset. Statistical uncertainty of MC simulations was kept within 1%. VIMC-Arc produced dose distributions that matched very closely to those calculated by the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) that is used in Eclipse. All plans also demonstrated better than 1% agreement of the dose at the isocenter. This demonstrates the capabilities of our new MC system to model all dosimetric features required for RapidArc dose calculations.


Asunto(s)
Método de Montecarlo , Radioterapia de Intensidad Modulada/métodos , Algoritmos , Anisotropía , Humanos , Fantasmas de Imagen , Radiometría , Dosificación Radioterapéutica
15.
Phys Med Biol ; 53(18): N337-47, 2008 Sep 21.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18711246

RESUMEN

As radiotherapy treatment planning moves toward Monte Carlo (MC) based dose calculation methods, the MC beamlet is becoming an increasingly common optimization entity. At present, methods used to produce MC beamlets have utilized a particle source model (PSM) approach. In this work we outline the implementation of a phase-space-based approach to MC beamlet generation that is expected to provide greater accuracy in beamlet dose distributions. In this approach a standard BEAMnrc phase space is sorted and divided into beamlets with particles labeled using the inheritable particle history variable. This is achieved with the use of an efficient sorting algorithm, capable of sorting a phase space of any size into the required number of beamlets in only two passes. Sorting a phase space of five million particles can be achieved in less than 8 s on a single-core 2.2 GHz CPU. The beamlets can then be transported separately into a patient CT dataset, producing separate dose distributions (doselets). Methods for doselet normalization and conversion of dose to absolute units of Gy for use in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plan optimization are also described.


Asunto(s)
Algoritmos , Modelos Estadísticos , Radiometría/métodos , Radioterapia Asistida por Computador/métodos , Radioterapia Conformacional/métodos , Simulación por Computador , Método de Montecarlo , Dosificación Radioterapéutica , Dispersión de Radiación
16.
Mol Cell Biol ; 21(3): 765-70, 2001 Feb.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11154264

RESUMEN

Proteins of the kinesin superfamily define a class of microtubule-dependent motors that play crucial roles in cell division and intracellular transport. To study the molecular mechanism of intracellular transport involving microtubule-dependent motors, a cDNA encoding a new kinesin-like protein called KifC3 was cloned from a mouse brain cDNA library. Sequence and secondary structure analysis revealed that KifC3 is a member of the C-terminal motor family. In contrast to other mouse C-terminal motors, KifC3 is apparently ubiquitous and may have a general role in intracellular transport. To understand the in vivo function of the KifC3 gene, we used homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells to construct knockout mouse strains for the KifC3 gene. Homozygous mutants of the KifC3 gene are viable, reproduce normally, and apparently develop normally. These results suggest that KifC3 is dispensable for normal development and reproduction in the mouse.


Asunto(s)
Cinesinas/genética , Cinesinas/fisiología , Proteínas Motoras Moleculares/genética , Proteínas Motoras Moleculares/fisiología , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Clonación Molecular , ADN Complementario/genética , Femenino , Expresión Génica , Crecimiento/genética , Crecimiento/fisiología , Riñón/anatomía & histología , Riñón/metabolismo , Cinesinas/química , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Noqueados , Proteínas Motoras Moleculares/química , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Fenotipo , Embarazo , Reproducción/genética , Reproducción/fisiología , Retina/metabolismo
17.
Phys Med Biol ; 52(14): 4345-60, 2007 Jul 21.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17664612

RESUMEN

It is well known that the use of a phase space in Monte Carlo simulation introduces a baseline level of variance that cannot be suppressed through the use of standard particle recycling techniques. This variance (termed latent phase-space variance by Sempau et al) can be a significant limiting factor in achieving accurate, low-uncertainty dose scoring results, especially near the surface of a phantom. A BEAMnrc component module (MCTWIST) has been developed to reduce the presence of latent variance in phase-space-based Monte Carlo simulations by implementing azimuthal particle redistribution (APR). For each recycled use of a phase-space particle a random rotation about the beam's central axis is applied, effectively utilizing cylindrical symmetry of the particle fluence and therefore providing a more accurate representation of the source. The MCTWIST module is unique in that no physical component is actually added to the accelerator geometry. Beam modifications are made by directly transforming particle characteristics outside of BEAMnrc/EGSnrc particle transport. Using MCTWIST, we have demonstrated a reduction in latent phase-space variance by more than a factor of 20, for a 10 x 10 cm(2) field, when compared to standard phase-space particle recycling techniques. The reduction in latent variance has enabled the achievement of dramatically smoother in-water dose profiles. This paper outlines the use of MCTWIST in Monte Carlo simulation and quantifies for the first time the latent variance reduction resulting from exploiting cylindrical phase-space symmetry.


Asunto(s)
Radioterapia de Iones Pesados , Modelos Biológicos , Método de Montecarlo , Radiometría/métodos , Planificación de la Radioterapia Asistida por Computador/métodos , Radioterapia de Alta Energía/métodos , Simulación por Computador , Tamaño de la Partícula , Dosificación Radioterapéutica , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Dispersión de Radiación , Sensibilidad y Especificidad
18.
Curr Opin Microbiol ; 1(5): 509-15, 1998 Oct.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10066532

RESUMEN

Numerous novel beta-lactamases and aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes with altered substrate profiles continue to be identified. Plasmid-mediated transmission of many of these enzymes readily occurs due to inclusion of the encoding genes in mobile gene cassettes. Recent crystallographic determinations of the structures of metallo-beta-lactamases and aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes provide the opportunity for the rational design of inhibitors.


Asunto(s)
Bacterias/enzimología , Farmacorresistencia Microbiana , beta-Lactamasas/química , Acetiltransferasas/química , Acetiltransferasas/efectos de los fármacos , Aminoglicósidos , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/metabolismo , Fosfotransferasas/química , Fosfotransferasas/efectos de los fármacos , Resistencia betalactámica , beta-Lactamasas/efectos de los fármacos
19.
J Perinatol ; 26(8): 515-7, 2006 Aug.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16871223

RESUMEN

Antibiotic resistance is a global health priority. Major defenses for Gram-negative bacteria are beta-lactamase enzymes, which have co-evolved with the development and increasing utilization of new antibiotics. Bacteria harboring the plasmid-mediated AmpC enzymes are increasingly prevalent among adult patients, but have not previously been reported in neonates. Early-onset neonatal meningitis caused by an AmpC beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli is described for the first time; the plasmid was identified as a transferable CMY-2 family beta-lactamase. Limited experience with newer antibiotics and pharmacokinetics in neonates presents a therapeutic challenge. Currently, there are no Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations for detecting AmpC nor is the optimal treatment for AmpC-producing organisms known. Thus, it is imperative that clinicians have a high index of suspicion when antimicrobial susceptibility patterns are inconsistent. Development of better microbiology screening tests to rapidly detect resistance is essential. Additionally, pharmacokinetic studies with newer antibiotics in neonates are warranted.


Asunto(s)
Proteínas Bacterianas/biosíntesis , Enfermedades en Gemelos , Infecciones por Escherichia coli/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Escherichia coli/tratamiento farmacológico , Escherichia coli/enzimología , Meningitis Bacterianas/diagnóstico , Meningitis Bacterianas/tratamiento farmacológico , beta-Lactamasas/biosíntesis , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana , Escherichia coli/efectos de los fármacos , Infecciones por Escherichia coli/microbiología , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Meningitis Bacterianas/microbiología
20.
Structure ; 4(7): 823-36, 1996 Jul 15.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8805566

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The metallo-beta-lactamase from Bacteroides fragilis hydrolyzes a wide range of beta-lactam antibiotics, and is not clinically susceptible to any known beta-lactamase inhibitors. B. fragilis is associated with post-surgery hospital infections, and there has been a recent report of plasmid-mediated dissemination of the enzyme. Effective inhibitors are therefore urgently needed. Knowledge of the three-dimensional structure will aid in the drug design effort. RESULTS: The crystal structure of the enzyme has been determined by using multiwavelength anomalous diffraction at the zinc absorption edge and refined to 1.85 A resolution. The structure is a four-layer alpha/beta/beta/alpha molecule. The active site, found at the edge of the beta sandwich contains a binuclear zinc center with several novel features. One zinc is tetrahedrally coordinated, the other has a trigonal bipyramidal coordination; a water/hydroxide molecule serves as a ligand for both metals. The residues that coordinate the two zincs are invariant in all metallo-beta-lactamases that have been sequenced, except for two conservative replacements. Despite the existence of the pattern for binuclear zinc binding, the reported structure of the Bacillus cereus enzyme contains only a single zinc. CONCLUSIONS: Structural analysis indicates that affinity for the penta-coordinated zinc can be modulated by neighboring residues, perhaps explaining the absence of the second zinc in the B. cereus structure. Models of bound substrates suggest that the active-site channel can accommodate a wide variety of beta-lactams. We propose that the zinc cluster prepares an hydroxide, probably the hydroxide that ligates both zincs, for nucleophilic attack on the carbonyl carbon atom of the beta-lactam. The resulting negatively charged tetrahedral intermediate implicated in catalysis is stabilized by an oxyanion hole formed by the side chain of the invariant Asn 193 and the tetrahedral zinc.


Asunto(s)
Proteínas Bacterianas , Bacteroides fragilis/enzimología , beta-Lactamasas/química , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Sitios de Unión , Catálisis , Cristalografía por Rayos X , Modelos Moleculares , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Homología de Secuencia de Aminoácido , beta-Lactamasas/metabolismo
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