RESUMEN
A 2-yr grazing trial was conducted to evaluate the use of conserved forage type, stockpiled Tifton 85 bermudagrass ( L.; T85) or T85 hay, and supplement type for stocker cattle during the fall forage deficit in the southeastern United States. The study site consisted of six 0.75-ha paddocks of stockpiled T85 for grazing and six 0.20-ha drylot paddocks for feeding T85 hay. Steers ( = 5 per paddock; mean initial BW for both yr, 263 ± 30 kg) were randomly assigned to paddocks on November 11, 2014 and October 28, 2015 in yr 1 and yr 2, respectively. Treatments included T85 hay or stockpile (control), T85 hay or stockpile plus 0.2 kg cottonseed meal and 0.7 kg soybean hullsâsteerâd (SUPPL1), or 0.45 kg cottonseed meal and 0.45 kg soybean hullsâsteerâd (SUPPL2). Polytape fencing was used for frontal grazing stockpiled T85 paddocks to allocate a 3- to 4-d allotment of forage DM for the animals based on available forage mass and steer DMI requirements. There were no differences among treatments ( > 0.10) in mean pregrazing forage mass across sampling dates (5,099 kg DM/ha and 7,998 kg DM/ha in yr 1 and yr 2, respectively), forage allowance (1.9 kg DM/kg steer BW and 3.0 kg DM/kg steer BW in yr 1 and yr 2, respectively) and forage utilization (84% and 88% in yr 1 and yr 2, respectively). No differences ( > 0.10) were detected for nutritive value parameters CP, ADF, NDF, and TDN among stockpiled T85 treatments in both yr. However, there were differences across sampling dates ( < 0.0001) for stockpiled T85 such that forage quality generally declined as the grazing season progressed in both yr. Steers fed T85 hay had greater final BW and ADG ( = 0.018) than those grazing stockpiled T85. Mean final BW and ADG of steers grazing T85 stockpile or fed hay with no supplementation was less ( = 0.020) than those receiving supplementation. Steers grazing stockpiled T85 had decreased ADG in the second half of the grazing season in both yr of the study, which is a result of declining forage nutritive value as the stockpiling season progressed. Results indicate that stockpiled T85 supplemented with CP and energy can support stocker cattle at a maintenance level, but to achieve a target gain of 0.9 kg/day would require a greater level of supplementation to overcome decreasing forage nutritive value dynamics.
Asunto(s)
Alimentación Animal/análisis , Crianza de Animales Domésticos/métodos , Bovinos/fisiología , Cynodon , Fibras de la Dieta/análisis , Suplementos Dietéticos , Animales , Bovinos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Masculino , Valor Nutritivo , Distribución Aleatoria , Estaciones del Año , Glycine maxRESUMEN
UNLABELLED: Whey protein is a highly functional food ingredient used in a wide variety of applications. A large portion of fluid whey produced in the United States is derived from Cheddar cheese manufacture and contains annatto (norbixin), and therefore must be bleached. The objective of this study was to compare sensory and functionality differences between whey protein isolate (WPI) bleached by benzoyl peroxide (BP) or hydrogen peroxide (HP). HP and BP bleached WPI and unbleached controls were manufactured in triplicate. Descriptive sensory analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were conducted to determine flavor differences between treatments. Functionality differences were evaluated by measurement of foam stability, protein solubility, SDS-PAGE, and effect of NaCl concentration on gelation relative to an unbleached control. HP bleached WPI had higher concentrations of lipid oxidation and sulfur containing volatile compounds than both BP and unbleached WPI (P < 0.05). HP bleached WPI was characterized by high aroma intensity, cardboard, cabbage, and fatty flavors, while BP bleached WPI was differentiated by low bitter taste. Overrun and yield stress were not different among WPI (P < 0.05). Soluble protein loss at pH 4.6 of WPI decreased by bleaching with either hydrogen peroxide or benzoyl peroxide (P < 0.05), and the heat stability of WPI was also distinct among WPI (P < 0.05). SDS PAGE results suggested that bleaching of whey with either BP or HP resulted in protein degradation, which likely contributed to functionality differences. These results demonstrate that bleaching has flavor effects as well as effects on many of the functionality characteristics of whey proteins. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Whey protein isolate (WPI) is often used for its functional properties, but the effect of oxidative bleaching chemicals on the functional properties of WPI is not known. This study identifies the effects of hydrogen peroxide and benzoyl peroxide on functional and flavor characteristics of WPI bleached by hydrogen and benzoyl peroxide and provides insights for the product applications which may benefit from bleaching.
Asunto(s)
Peróxido de Benzoílo/farmacología , Blanqueadores/farmacología , Alimentos Funcionales/análisis , Peróxido de Hidrógeno/farmacología , Odorantes , Gusto , Proteína de Suero de Leche/química , Bixaceae , Carotenoides , Queso , Color , Electroforesis en Gel de Poliacrilamida , Colorantes de Alimentos/química , Cromatografía de Gases y Espectrometría de Masas , Humanos , Hidrógeno , Peroxidación de Lípido , Extractos Vegetales , Proteolisis/efectos de los fármacos , Azufre/análisis , Compuestos Orgánicos Volátiles/análisis , Suero Lácteo , Proteína de Suero de Leche/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D; 25[OH]D) deficiency is common in patients initiating long-term hemodialysis, but the safety and efficacy of nutritional vitamin D supplementation in this population remain uncertain. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: This randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group multicenter trial compared two doses of ergocalciferol with placebo between October 2009 and March 2013. Hemodialysis patients (n=105) with 25(OH)D levels ≤32 ng/ml from 32 centers in the Northeast United States were randomly assigned to oral ergocalciferol, 50,000 IU weekly (n=36) or monthly (n=33), or placebo (n=36) for a 12-week treatment period. The primary endpoint was the achievement of vitamin D sufficiency (25[OH]D >32 ng/ml) at the end of the 12-week treatment period. Survival was assessed through 1 year. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar across all arms, with overall mean±SD 25(OH)D levels of 21.9±6.9 ng/ml. At 12 weeks, vitamin D sufficiency (25[OH]D >32 ng/ml) was achieved in 91% (weekly), 66% (monthly), and 35% (placebo) (P<0.001). Mean 25(OH)D was significantly higher in both the weekly (49.8±2.3 ng/ml; P<0.001) and monthly (38.3±2.4 ng/ml; P=0.001) arms compared with placebo (27.4±2.3 ng/ml). Calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone levels, and active vitamin D treatment did not differ between groups. All-cause and cause-specific hospitalizations and adverse events were similar between groups during the intervention period. Lower all-cause mortality among ergocalciferol-treated participants was not statistically significant (hazard ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.07 to 1.19). CONCLUSIONS: Oral ergocalciferol can increase 25(OH)D levels in incident hemodialysis patients without significant alterations in blood calcium, phosphate, or parathyroid hormone during a 12-week period.
Asunto(s)
Suplementos Dietéticos , Ergocalciferoles/administración & dosificación , Enfermedades Renales/terapia , Diálisis Renal , Deficiencia de Vitamina D/tratamiento farmacológico , Vitamina D/análogos & derivados , Administración Oral , Adulto , Anciano , Biomarcadores/sangre , Causas de Muerte , Suplementos Dietéticos/efectos adversos , Método Doble Ciego , Ergocalciferoles/efectos adversos , Femenino , Hospitalización , Humanos , Enfermedades Renales/sangre , Enfermedades Renales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Renales/mortalidad , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , New England , Estado Nutricional , Diálisis Renal/efectos adversos , Diálisis Renal/mortalidad , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Vitamina D/sangre , Deficiencia de Vitamina D/sangre , Deficiencia de Vitamina D/diagnóstico , Deficiencia de Vitamina D/mortalidadRESUMEN
Depleted uranium (DU) is a high density heavy metal that has been used in military munitions since the 1991 Gulf War. DU is weakly radioactive and chemically toxic. Long term exposure can cause adverse health effects. This study assessed genotoxic effects in DU exposed Gulf War I veterans as a function of uranium (U) body burden. Levels of urine U were used to categorize the cohort into low and high exposure groups. Exposure to DU occurred during friendly fire incidents in 1991 involving DU munitions resulting in inhalation and ingestion exposure to small particles of DU and soft tissue DU fragments from traumatic injuries. All of these Veterans are enrolled in a long term health surveillance program at the Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center. Blood was drawn from 35 exposed male veterans aged 36-59 years, then cultured and evaluated for micronuclei (MN) using the cytokinesis block method. The participants were divided into two exposure groups, low and high, based on their mean urine uranium (uU) concentrations. Poisson regression analyses with mean urine U concentrations, current smoking, X-rays in the past year and donor age as dependent variables revealed no significant relationships with MN frequencies. Our results indicate that on-going systemic exposure to DU occurring in Gulf War I Veterans with DU embedded fragments does not induce significant increases in MN in peripheral blood lymphocytes compared to MN frequencies in Veterans with normal U body burdens.
Asunto(s)
Guerra del Golfo , Micronúcleos con Defecto Cromosómico , Uranio/toxicidad , Veteranos , Adulto , Carga Corporal (Radioterapia) , Humanos , Linfocitos , Masculino , Pruebas de Micronúcleos/métodos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Personal Militar , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Uranio/orinaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To explore women's perceptions of "choice" of place of delivery in remote and rural areas where different models of maternity services are available. SETTING AND METHODS: Remote and rural areas of the North of Scotland. A qualitative study design involved focus groups with women who had recent experience of maternity services. RESULTS: Women had varying experiences and perceptions of choice regarding place of delivery. Most women had, or perceived they had, no choice, though some felt they had a genuine choice. When comparing different places of birth, women based their decisions primarily on their perceptions of safety. Consultant-led care was associated with covering every eventuality, while midwife-led care was associated with greater quality in terms of psycho-social support. Women engaged differently in the choice process, ranging from "acceptors" to "active choosers." The presentation of choice by health professionals, pregnancy complications, geographical accessibility and the implications of alternative places of delivery in terms of demands on social networks were also influential in "choice." CONCLUSIONS: Provision of different models of maternity services may not be sufficient to convince women they have "choice." The paper raises fundamental questions about the meaning of "choice" within current policy developments and calls for a more critical approach to the use of choice as a service development and analytical concept.
Asunto(s)
Conducta de Elección , Parto Obstétrico/psicología , Servicios de Salud Rural , Adulto , Estudios de Evaluación como Asunto , Femenino , Grupos Focales , Humanos , Partería , Embarazo , EscociaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To compare gestational age at discharge between infants born at 30-34(+6) weeks gestational age who were admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in California, Massachusetts, and the United Kingdom. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Fifty four United Kingdom, five California, and five Massachusetts NICUs. SUBJECTS: A total of 4359 infants who survived to discharge home after admission to an NICU. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gestational age at discharge home. RESULTS: The mean (SD) postmenstrual age at discharge of the infants in California, Massachusetts, and the United Kingdom were 35.9 (1.3), 36.3 (1.3), and 36.3 (1.9) weeks respectively (p = 0.001). Compared with the United Kingdom, adjusted discharge of infants occurred 3.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4 to 6.5) days earlier in California, and 0.9 (95% CI -1.2 to 3.0) days earlier in Massachusetts. CONCLUSIONS: Infants of 30-34(+6) weeks gestation at birth admitted and cared for in hospitals in California have a shorter length of stay than those in the United Kingdom. Certain characteristics of the integrated healthcare approach pursued by the health maintenance organisation of the NICUs in California may foster earlier discharge. The California system may provide opportunities for identifying practices for reducing the length of stay of moderately premature infants.
Asunto(s)
Recien Nacido Prematuro , Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal/estadística & datos numéricos , Tiempo de Internación/estadística & datos numéricos , Alta del Paciente/estadística & datos numéricos , California , Femenino , Edad Gestacional , Investigación sobre Servicios de Salud , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Massachusetts , Transferencia de Pacientes/estadística & datos numéricos , Estudios Prospectivos , Clase Social , Reino UnidoRESUMEN
Evidence for staffing recommendations in labour wards is scant. This study aimed to test association between midwife workload with adjusted process of continuous electronic fetal monitoring (CEFM) and neonatal outcome indicators. This was a prospective workload study in 23 consultant-led labour wards in Scotland. There were 3489 livebirths during September 2000, and 1561 consecutively delivered women with CEFM case review during the mid-two weeks. Process measures were: adjusted rates of CEFM, appropriate CEFM, and time to medical response for a serious fetal heart trace abnormality. Neonatal outcome indicators were: Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes, admission to neonatal unit (NNU) > 48 hours, and neonatal resuscitation. Complete information was available for 99% (2553/2576) of workload time points, 99% (1559) of CEFM process, and 3083 eligible neonates. There were no associations between occupancy or staffing ratios and adjusted CEFM process, Apgar < 7 at 5 minutes (0.98 [0.83, 1.15]) or admission to NNU for > 48 hours (0.97 [0.95, 1.00]). However, there was association between increasing staffing ratios and lower odds of adjusted neonatal resuscitation (excluding bag and mask only) (0.97 [0.94, 0.99]). The direction of effect of increasing workload suggests detriment to outcome indicators, although the size of effect may be small.
Asunto(s)
Salas de Parto , Monitoreo Fetal/normas , Partería/organización & administración , Resultado del Embarazo , Calidad de la Atención de Salud , Carga de Trabajo/estadística & datos numéricos , Puntaje de Apgar , Ocupación de Camas/estadística & datos numéricos , Consultores , Femenino , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Partería/normas , Embarazo , Estudios Prospectivos , Escocia , Recursos HumanosAsunto(s)
Continuidad de la Atención al Paciente/estadística & datos numéricos , Maternidades , Partería/organización & administración , Grupo de Enfermería/organización & administración , Adolescente , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Atención Dirigida al Paciente/organización & administración , Embarazo , Resultado del Embarazo , Escocia , Recursos HumanosRESUMEN
Bioassay-directed fractionation of the flowers and leaves of Ratibida columnifera using a hormone-dependent human prostate (LNCaP) cancer cell line led to the isolation of 10 cytotoxic substances, composed of five novel xanthanolide derivatives (2-4, 7, and 8), a novel nerolidol derivative (9), and three known sesquiterpene lactones, 9alpha-hydroxy-seco-ratiferolide-5alpha-O-angelate+ ++ (1), 9alpha-hydroxy-seco-ratiferolide-5alpha-O-(2-methylbut yrate) (5), 9-oxo-seco-ratiferolide-5alpha-O-(2-methylbutyrate) (6), as well as a known flavonoid, hispidulin (10). On the basis of its cytotoxicity profile, compound 5 was selected for further biological evaluation, and was found to induce G1 arrest and slow S traverse time in parental wild type p53 A2780S cells, but only G2/M arrest in p53 mutant A2780R cells, with strong apoptosis shown for both cell lines. The activity of 5 was not mediated by the multidrug resistance (MDR) pump, and it was not active against several anticancer molecular targets (i.e., tubulin polymerization/depolymerization, topoisomerases, and DNA intercalation). While these results indicate that compound 5 acts as a cytotoxic agent via a novel mechanism, this substance was inactive in in vivo evaluations using the murine lung carcinoma (M109) and human colon carcinoma (HCT116) models.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/farmacología , Asteraceae/química , Plantas Medicinales/química , Sesquiterpenos/farmacología , Animales , Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/aislamiento & purificación , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Ciclo Celular/efectos de los fármacos , ADN de Neoplasias/efectos de los fármacos , Ensayos de Selección de Medicamentos Antitumorales , Inhibidores Enzimáticos/farmacología , Femenino , Humanos , Sustancias Intercalantes/farmacología , Masculino , Ratones , Neoplasias Ováricas/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias Ováricas/patología , Neoplasias de la Próstata/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias de la Próstata/patología , Sesquiterpenos/aislamiento & purificación , Inhibidores de Topoisomerasa I , Tubulina (Proteína)/biosíntesis , Células Tumorales CultivadasRESUMEN
Capsaicin depletes the sensory neuropeptide substance P (SP) in the rat due to a combination of neuron loss and decreased synthesis in the surviving cells. Resiniferatoxin (RTX) mimics most, but not all, capsaicin actions. In the present study, the effects of RTX (300 microg/kg, s.c.) were examined on mRNA levels for SP and its receptor in the adult rat. The percentage of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neuronal profiles showing an in situ hybridization signal for preprotachykinin mRNAs encoding SP was not altered following RTX treatment (up to 8 weeks), though the signal became perceptibly weaker. In accord, 2 weeks after RTX administration a 60% decrease was observed in the steady-state levels of SP-encoding mRNAs using Northern blot analysis, leaving the ratio of beta- and gamma-preprotachykinin mRNAs unchanged. No change was, however, observed in mRNA levels encoding tachykinins NK-1 receptors in the dorsal horn, the spinal targets for SP. The present findings suggest that RTX does not kill SP-positive DRG neurons, though it suppresses the synthesis of SP. Since RTX treatment does not alter NK-1 receptor expression, this reduced SP synthesis is likely to play a central role in the analgesic actions of RTX.
Asunto(s)
Diterpenos/administración & dosificación , Ganglios Espinales/metabolismo , Neurotoxinas/administración & dosificación , ARN Mensajero/efectos de los fármacos , Receptores de Neuroquinina-1/metabolismo , Médula Espinal/metabolismo , Sustancia P/genética , Administración Tópica , Animales , Capsaicina/administración & dosificación , Ganglios Espinales/efectos de los fármacos , Hibridación in Situ , Inyecciones Subcutáneas , Masculino , Antagonistas del Receptor de Neuroquinina-1 , Manejo del Dolor , Precursores de Proteínas/genética , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Receptores de Neuroquinina-1/genética , Ribonucleasas/metabolismo , Médula Espinal/efectos de los fármacos , Sustancia P/antagonistas & inhibidores , Taquicininas/genéticaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To clone the complementary DNA of the human retinal rod Na-Ca + K exchanger. METHODS: A human retinal cDNA library was screened initially with a radiolabeled probe representing the entire bovine rod Na-Ca + K exchanger cDNA and subsequently with probes from polymerase chain reaction fragments of the human retinal rod Na-Ca + K exchanger obtained after the initial screen. Twelve positive clones were used to obtain the entire coding sequence of the human retinal rod Na-Ca + K exchanger. RESULTS: The cDNA of the human retinal rod Na-Ca + K exchanger codes for a protein of 1081 amino acids, which shows 64.3% overall identity with the bovine retinal rod Na-Ca + K exchanger at the amino acid level. The two sets of putative transmembrane-spanning domains and their short connecting loops showed the highest degree of identity (94%-95%), whereas the extracellular loop at the N terminus showed a 59% identity. The large cytosolic loop that bisects the two sets of transmembrane-spanning domains contained two large deletions in the human exchanger; the first deletion contains 18 amino acids, whereas the second deletion involves a series of repeats that are dominated by acidic amino acid residues observed in the bovine, but not in the human, sequence. The authors observed that the bovine sequence contains a ninth repeat in addition to the eight repeats of the published sequence. CONCLUSIONS: The authors cloned the cDNA of the human retinal rod Na-Ca + K exchanger as a first step in examining the possibility that this gene could be the locus of disease-causing mutations.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Portadoras/genética , ADN Complementario/análisis , Proteínas del Ojo/genética , Intercambiador de Sodio-Calcio , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Búfalos , Calcio/metabolismo , Proteínas Portadoras/metabolismo , Bovinos , Clonación Molecular , Cartilla de ADN/química , Proteínas del Ojo/metabolismo , Humanos , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Potasio/metabolismo , Segmento Externo de la Célula en Bastón/metabolismo , Homología de Secuencia de Aminoácido , Sodio/metabolismoRESUMEN
Recent years have seen the development of different models of antenatal care, especially for low risk women. More specifically, there has been a move for more general practitioner and midwifery involvement in such care. Given the current changes that are taking place in the provision of antenatal care, it is becoming increasingly important to carry out economic evaluations of alternative models of care. This paper applies the economic instrument of willingness to pay to assess the benefits of two alternative forms of antenatal care: general practitioner/midwife routine led care versus obstetrician led care. The results suggest a willingness to pay of pounds 2500 for antenatal care, with no significant difference between the types of care provided. It is concluded that before firm policy conclusions can be reached, further studies should be undertaken to address methodological issues around the willingness to pay technique.
Asunto(s)
Terapias Complementarias/economía , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud , Grupo de Atención al Paciente/economía , Atención Prenatal/economía , Adulto , Análisis Costo-Beneficio , Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria/economía , Femenino , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Partería/economía , Embarazo , Garantía de la Calidad de Atención de Salud/economía , Escocia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity in most developed countries. Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and vitamin E therapy may retard the atherosclerotic process; however, definitive proof in humans is lacking. The Study to Evaluate Carotid Ultrasound Changes in Patients Treated with Ramipril and Vitamin E (SECURE) is designed to assess the effects of ramipril--an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, at 2 doses: 2.5 mg daily (which has little effect on lowering blood pressure) and 10 mg daily--and the antioxidant vitamin E, 400 IU daily, on atherosclerosis progression in 732 patients using a factorial 3 x 2 study design. High-risk patients with a documented history of significant cardiovascular disease or with diabetes and additional risk factors were enrolled and will be followed for 4 years. The extent and progression of atherosclerosis are assessed noninvasively by B-mode carotid ultrasonography. The SECURE trial is a substudy of the larger Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) study of 9,541 high-risk patients evaluating the effects of ramipril and vitamin E on major cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke). The 2 studies are complementary. Whereas HOPE is expected to provide information on major clinical outcomes, SECURE will shed light on the mechanisms by which these effects may be mediated.
Asunto(s)
Inhibidores de la Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina/uso terapéutico , Arteriosclerosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de las Arterias Carótidas/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedad de la Arteria Coronaria/tratamiento farmacológico , Arteriosclerosis Intracraneal/tratamiento farmacológico , Ramipril/uso terapéutico , Vitamina E/uso terapéutico , Anciano , Inhibidores de la Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina/administración & dosificación , Enfermedades de las Arterias Carótidas/diagnóstico por imagen , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Humanos , Arteriosclerosis Intracraneal/diagnóstico por imagen , Masculino , Ramipril/administración & dosificación , Proyectos de Investigación , Factores de Riesgo , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
A truncated rat neurotensin receptor (NTR), expressed in Escherichia coli with the maltose-binding protein fused to its N-terminus and the 13 amino acid Bio tag fused to its C-terminus, was purified to apparent homogeneity in two steps by use of the monomeric avidin system followed by a novel neurotensin column. This purification protocol was developed by engineering a variety of affinity tags on to the C-terminus of NTR. Surprisingly, expression levels varied considerably depending on the C-terminal tag used. Functional expression of NTR was highest (800 receptors/cell) when thioredoxin was placed between the receptor C-terminus and the tag, indicating a stabilizing effect of the thioredoxin moiety. Several affinity chromatography methods were tested for purification. NTR with the in vivo-biotinylated Bio tag was purified with the highest efficiency compared with NTR with the Strep tag or a hexa-histidine tail. Co-expression of biotin ligase improved considerably the in vivo biotinylation of the Bio tag and, therefore, the overall purification yield. Proteolysis of the NTR fusion protein was prevented by removing a protease-sensitive site discovered at the N-terminus of NTR. The ligand binding properties of the purified receptor were similar to those of the membrane-bound protein and the native receptor. The scale-up of this purification scheme, to provide sufficient protein for biophysical studies, is in progress.
Asunto(s)
Receptores de Neurotensina/aislamiento & purificación , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Proteínas Portadoras/genética , Cromatografía de Afinidad , Clonación Molecular , ADN Complementario , Detergentes , Electroforesis en Gel de Poliacrilamida , Escherichia coli/genética , Lectinas de Unión a Manosa , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Ratas , Receptores de Neurotensina/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusión/genética , SolubilidadRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To compare the costs to the health service, women and their families of routine antenatal care provided by either traditional obstetrician-led shared care or general practitioner (GP)/community midwife care. METHOD: A multicentre randomized controlled trial in 51 general practices linked to nine maternity hospitals in Scotland: 1667 low-risk pregnant women provided information on costs to the health service. 704 of these women provided information on non-health service costs. RESULTS: GP/midwife antenatal care was found to cost statistically significantly less than shared care. This was the case for investigations carried out at routine antenatal visits (GP/midwife = 87.25 Pounds, shared care = 91.15 Pounds, P = 0.05), staffing costs at routine antenatal visits (GP/midwife = 127.76 Pounds, shared care = 131.09 Pounds, P = 0.001), and non-health service costs incurred by women and their companions (GP/midwife = 118.53 Pounds, shared care = 133.49 Pounds, P = 0.001). While non-routine care in the GP/midwife arm of the trial costs less than in the shared care arm, the difference was not statistically significant (GP/midwife = 83.74 Pounds, shared care = 94.43 Pounds, P = 0.46). The total societal cost of antenatal care was 417.28 Pounds per women in the GP/midwife arm of the trial and 450.19 Pounds in the shared care arm of the trial. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The application of sensitivity analysis did not change these results. CONCLUSIONS: GP/midwife antenatal care is a satisfactory option for low-risk pregnant women in Scotland provided that clinical outcomes and women's satisfaction are at least the same as those of women with shared care.
Asunto(s)
Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria/economía , Partería/economía , Obstetricia/economía , Atención Prenatal/economía , Ahorro de Costo/economía , Estudios de Evaluación como Asunto , Femenino , Costos de la Atención en Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Investigación sobre Servicios de Salud/métodos , Humanos , Embarazo , Atención Prenatal/organización & administración , Factores de Riesgo , Escocia , Reino UnidoRESUMEN
Two new isoflavones, 6,7,8,3',4',5'-hexamethoxyisoflavone and 7,8,3',4',5'-pentamethoxyisoflavone, have been isolated and characterized from the combined root bark and stem bark of Petalostemon purpureus.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos/química , Daño del ADN , Fabaceae/química , Isoflavonas/química , Plantas Medicinales , Antineoplásicos/aislamiento & purificación , Antineoplásicos/toxicidad , Isoflavonas/aislamiento & purificación , Isoflavonas/toxicidad , Espectroscopía de Resonancia Magnética , Estructura Molecular , Raíces de Plantas , Tallos de la Planta , Espectrofotometría UltravioletaRESUMEN
A new prenylated flavonol, petalopurpurenol (1), and a known dihydroflavonol, petalostemumol (2), have been isolated by DNA scission-guided fractionation of the organic portion of a 20% MeOH/CHCl3/H2O partition of a 50% MeOH/CHCl3 extract of the roots of Petalostemon purpureus. Compound 2 displayed moderate activity in DNA-scission assay. Both compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for cytotoxicity in a panel of human cancer cell lines. The structures of petalopurpurenol (1) and petalostemumol (2) were determined by spectroscopic analysis.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/aislamiento & purificación , Fabaceae/química , Raíces de Plantas/química , Plantas Medicinales , Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/farmacología , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Daño del ADN , Resistencia a Múltiples Medicamentos , Ensayos de Selección de Medicamentos Antitumorales , Humanos , Células KBRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To compare routine antenatal care provided by general practitioners and midwives with obstetrician led shared care. DESIGN: Multicentre randomised controlled trial. SETTING: 51 general practices linked to nine Scottish maternity hospitals. SUBJECTS: 1765 women at low risk of antenatal complications. INTERVENTION: Routine antenatal care by general practitioners and midwives according to a care plan and protocols for managing complications. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparisons of health service use, indicators of quality of care, and women's satisfaction. RESULTS: Continuity of care was improved for the general practitioner and midwife group as the number of carers was less (median 5 carers v 7 for shared care group, P<0.0001) and the number of routine visits reduced (10.9 v 11.7, P<0.0001). Fewer women in the general practitioner and midwife group had antenatal admissions (27% (222/834) v 32% (266/840), P<0.05), non-attendances (7% (57) v 11% (89), P<0.01) and daycare (12% (102) v 7% (139), P<0.05) but more were referred (49% (406) v 36% (305), P<0.0001). Rates of antenatal diagnoses did not differ except that fewer women in the general practitioner and midwife group had hypertensive disorders (pregnancy induced hypertension, 5% (37) v 8% (70), P<0.01) and fewer had labour induced (18% (149) v 24% (201), P<0.01). Few failures to comply with the care protocol occurred, but more Rhesus negative women in the general practitioner and midwife group did not have an appropriate antibody check (2.5% (20) v 0.4% (3), P<0.0001). Both groups expressed high satisfaction with care (68% (453/663) v 65% (430/656), P=0.5) and acceptability of allocated style of care (93% (618) v 94% (624), P=0.6). Access to hospital support before labour was similar (45% (302) v 48% (312) visited labour rooms before giving birth, P=0.6). CONCLUSION: Routine specialist visits for women initially at low risk of pregnancy complications offer little or no clinical or consumer benefit.
Asunto(s)
Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria , Ginecología , Partería , Atención Prenatal/organización & administración , Protocolos Clínicos , Femenino , Maternidades , Humanos , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud , Grupo de Atención al Paciente , Satisfacción del Paciente , Embarazo , Complicaciones del Embarazo , Resultado del Embarazo , Atención Prenatal/métodos , Atención Prenatal/estadística & datos numéricos , Calidad de la Atención de Salud , Riesgo , EscociaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The goals of this study were to determine whether magnetic resonance parameters (a) can identify early during therapy those patients most likely to respond to hyperthermia and radiotherapy, (b) can provide prior to or early during therapy information about the temperature distributions which can be obtained in patients receiving hyperthermia, and (c) can provide an understanding of the effects of hyperthermia on tumor metabolic status. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-one human patients and 10 canine patients with soft tissue sarcomas treated with preoperative hyperthermia and radiation had a series of magnetic resonance imaging and phosphorous spectroscopy studies done. To address the goals for both the human and canine populations, changes in mean T2 relaxation times, pH, and various phosphometabolite ratios from the pretreatment (Study 1) to the post first hyperthermia study (Study 2) were correlated with treatment outcome; pretreatment magnetic resonance parameters and changes in magnetic resonance parameters (Study 2-Study 1) were compared with various cumulative thermal descriptors; and thermal descriptors of the first hyperthermia were compared with changes in magnetic resonance phosphometabolite ratios. RESULTS: A decrease in adenosine triphosphate/phosphomonoester from study 1 to study 2 is associated with a greater chance of > or = 95% necrosis in surgical resected tumors from human patients, but no significant relationships were observed between changes in tumor pH or phosphometabolite ratios and time to local failure in dogs. Pretreatment magnetic resonance parameters correlated with various thermal dose descriptors in canines but not in humans. Change in adenosine triphosphate/inorganic phosphate and phosphomonoester signal to noise ratio correlated with cumulative thermal descriptors in dogs and humans, respectively. In dogs only, increases in thermal dose resulted in decreases in high energy phosphometabolites. CONCLUSION: Changes in magnetic resonance parameters early during therapy may be predictive of treatment outcome. Pretreatment and changes in magnetic resonance parameters appear to predict how well a tumor will be heated during hyperthermia. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy also appears to be a useful tool to study the effects of various thermal doses on tumor metabolic status.