Integrated structure-based protein interface prediction.

BACKGROUND: Identifying protein interfaces can inform how proteins interact with their binding partners, uncover the regulatory mechanisms that control biological functions and guide the development of novel therapeutic agents. A variety of computational approaches have been developed for predicting a protein's interfacial residues from its known sequence and structure. Methods using the known three-dimensional structures of proteins can be template-based or template-free. Template-based methods have limited success in predicting interfaces when homologues with known complex structures are not available to use as templates. The prediction performance of template-free methods that only rely only upon proteins' intrinsic properties is limited by the amount of biologically relevant features that can be included in an interface prediction model. RESULTS: We describe the development of an integrated method for protein interface prediction (ISPIP) to explore the hypothesis that the efficacy of a computational prediction method of protein binding sites can be enhanced by using a combination of methods that rely on orthogonal structure-based properties of a query protein, combining and balancing both template-free and template-based features. ISPIP is a method that integrates these approaches through simple linear or logistic regression models and more complex decision tree models. On a diverse test set of 156 query proteins, ISPIP outperforms each of its individual classifiers in identifying protein binding interfaces. CONCLUSIONS: The integrated method captures the best performance of individual classifiers and delivers an improved interface prediction. The method is robust and performs well even when one of the individual classifiers performs poorly on a particular query protein. This work demonstrates that integrating orthogonal methods that depend on different structural properties of proteins performs better at interface prediction than any individual classifier alone.

Luteinized thecoma associated with sclerosing peritonitis--conservative surgical approach followed by corticosteroid and GnRH agonist treatment--a case report.

BACKGROUND: Luteinized thecoma of the ovary associated with sclerosing peritonitis is a rare tumor that has no standard definitive treatment regimen. CASE: A 25 year-old patient diagnosed with luteinized thecoma and sclerosing peritonitis in the omentum. The patient received high dose corticosteroids (IV Hydrocortisone 500 mg/d) and GnRH agonist (IM Leuprolide 3.75 mg) in order to achieve ovarian suppression and relief of the clinical peritonitis. She was re-admitted two weeks later due to bowel obstruction which was treated conservatively. The steroid regimen was continued by oral intake for 5 weeks with complete remission of the peritonitis related symptoms. The bilateral enlarged ovarian tumor-like solid was the prominent finding in consecutive ultrasound exams with no decrease in size despite of the above mentioned protocol. Thus, the patient was re-operated for exploration and biopsies of the ovary and the pathology report showed no evidence of remnant disease in the ovary, or in the peritoneum. Completing follow-up of 15 months since the last operation, the patient is asymptomatic. She conceived spontaneously and currently is in her 24th week of a normal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This is the first case report in the English literature of a successful medical conservative treatment of a young patient with luteinized thecoma associated with sclerosing peritonitis that led to complete relief of the symptoms and allowed fertility preservation.

Primary peritoneal borderline tumor. A case report and review of the literature.

A case report and review of the literature of a primary peritoneal borderline tumor is presented. A patient with primary peritoneal borderline tumor diagnosed by elevated of serum CA-125 and asymptomatic pelvic cysts, two years after laparotomy due to mullerian cysts, is discussed.

Synchronous mucinous tumors of the ovary and the appendix associated with pseudomyxoma peritonei: CT findings.

BACKGROUND: To present the computed tomographic (CT) findings of synchronous mucinous tumors of the ovary and the appendix associated with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). METHODS: Imaging studies, mainly abdominal CT scans, of three women aged 49-75 years were reviewed. Attention was directed to the ovarian masses, peritoneal seeding, and the presence of an appendiceal mucocele. RESULTS: The ovarian tumors and the appendiceal mucocele were clearly demonstrated in two cases, and they were part of the extensive PMP in the third patient. Ascites was found in all cases, with internal septation in one. Associated scalloping of the liver margins and hypodense peritoneal implants, with extensive bowel involvement, were seen in another one. Pathologically, there was one case of right ovarian mucinous cystadenoma and villous adenoma of the appendix, one case of right ovarian and appendiceal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, and one case of bilateral metastatic ovarian implants of appendiceal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. PMP was found in all. In the case with benign tumors of the ovary and the appendix, the PMP was classified as a benign mucinous spillage. This patient returned 33 months after surgery with PMP, in which epithelial cells were found. CONCLUSIONS: Radiologists should be familiar with the clinical occurrence of synchronous mucinous tumors of the ovary and the appendix associated with PMP and with the typical CT findings of the latter two entities. Alternatively, when the imaging findings suggest ovarian cystic tumor with PMP, the radiologist should be alerted to the probability of a clinically unsuspected appendiceal mucocele and should search for it.

Adenocarcinoma arising from the gastrointestinal epithelium in benign cystic teratoma of the ovary.

Malignant transformation of benign cystic teratoma of the ovary is rare, with an incidence of 1.8%. The commonest malignant neoplasm to develop is squamous carcinoma (80%). Adenocarcinoma occurs with less frequency, and only one of which has ever been cited to be of gastrointestinal origin. A 38-year-old female underwent TAH-BSO due to a large right ovarian tumor. Microscopically and immunohistochemically, the tumor was defined as mucinous adenocarcinoma originating from gastrointestinal epithelium in benign cystic teratoma.

Epidemic Bacillus endophthalmitis after cataract surgery I: acute presentation and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to report the clinical outcome of acute Bacillus endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. DESIGN: The study design is a cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients with epidemic acute postoperative inflammation after exposure to bacteria-contaminated viscoelastic material were studied. INTERVENTION: Three patients with milder clinical presentations were treated without vitrectomy or antibiotics. Eleven patients with more severe infection were treated with vitrectomy as well as intravitreous and topical fortified antibiotics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Final visual acuities were obtained in all 14 study patients. Results of microbiologic studies of aqueous and vitreous specimens from 11 vitrectomized eyes also were analyzed. RESULTS: One patient with late presentation had severe inflammation and had phthisis bulbi develop with no light perception. The remaining 13 patients had successful resolution of inflammation after treatment by 1 month of follow-up. Twelve of these 13 patients, including 1 nonvitrectomized patient, had final visual acuities of 20/100 or better at 6 months' follow-up. Six patients, including two patients with nonvitrectomized eyes, had outcomes of 20/40 or better visual acuity. Bacillus species were grown from all 11 (100%) vitreous and 7 (88%) of 8 aqueous specimens obtained from vitrectomized patients, as well as from the contaminated viscoelastic material remaining in the operating room. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative Bacillus endophthalmitis need not result in poor outcome. Results depend on factors including bacterial load, specific bacterial species, timing of treatment, and immune status of the patient.

The efficacy of amitriptyline and acetaminophen in the management of acute low back pain.

Thirty-nine patients with acute low back pain were treated with amitriptyline (150 mg/d) or acetaminophen (2,000 mg/d) in a controlled double-blind design for 5 weeks. Both groups revealed mild depression, normal coping, and increased anxiety at the beginning, with significant improvement in anxiety state and pain at the end of treatment. A repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated that amitriptyline was more effective than acetaminophen in reducing pain intensity from the second week of treatment. Age and depression were the only significant pretreatment predictors of posttreatment pain. The study evaluates the significance of these findings.

Abnormal oral sensory perception in patients with a history of anorexia nervosa and the relationship between physiological and psychological improvement in this disease.

14 patients with a history of anorexia nervosa (AN) (mean duration 7.1 years) were divided into two groups according to whether they were still amenorrheic (group I, n = 6) at a significantly lower body weight or at normal stable weight with eumenorrhea (group II, n = 8); 26 age-matched students served as the control group. Psychological testing included the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), shadow silhouette size rating, and a new test of oral appreciation of different sized cubes. In groups I and II, oral misperception of medium and large sizes was significantly greater than visual-tactile appreciation; and all cube sizes, however presented, were overexaggerated when compared to the controls. Group II subjects had EDI scores and ideal body weight choices similar to those of group I. Thus, in AN, in addition to visual misperception, there may be a more generalized problem of size conceptualization including oral appreciation. These findings also suggest that improvement in body weight and menstrual function, as in group II, does not necessarily imply psychological recovery in AN.

Nursing case management: an innovative model of care for hospitalized patients with diabetes.

Cost, access, and quality are among the most pressing concerns facing the delivery of health care services in the 1990s. These issues are of particular concern for individuals with diabetes because of their high consumption level of health care resources. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a managed care approach could reduce the hospital stay while creating a balance between cost and quality of care.

Symptom anticipation and the learned visceral response: a major neglected determinant of morbidity in functional and organic disorders.

This article explores the idea that symptoms in certain functional and organic disorders may be precipitated by a patient's anxiety in anticipation of that symptom's recurrence (symptom anticipation). Furthermore, through a process of learning from earlier experience, the induction of symptoms may be a highly directed process mediated by the nervous system and driven by the patient's apprehension or anxiety. In some patients this anticipation may be a major factor in causing a seemingly deteriorating clinical situation, which is often poorly responsive or unresponsive to conventional and perhaps previously effective medication. This situation tends to evoke a response from the treating physician that may lead to a course of action potentially dangerous to the patient through the use of more invasive diagnostic procedures, second-line drugs with more hazardous side effects, or even surgery. This article attempts to demonstrate that psychosomatic processes may be of considerable importance in mediating suffering through a defined mechanism in patients with established organic disease states.

Homogeneous groups as treatment modality for anorectics.

The accumulated amount of research studies on anorexia has not until now produced a clear understanding of its etiology, symptoms and treatment. In this paper we deal with one aspect of the symptomatology: the delusion on the part of the anorectic patient of being normal or overweight. This issue, which seems the most obnoxious, is dealt with and discussed through a psychological model of group therapy with the participation of 7 anorectic women. Implications and limitations of further psychological treatment are clarified and revised.

Effect of lysine vasopressin in depressed patients on mood and 24-hour rhythm of growth hormone, cortisol, melatonin and prolactin.

Lysine-8-vasopressin (LVP) for 10 days and in doses up to 13.5 LVP units did not significantly alter the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores of 12 severely depressed, treatment-resistant patients who were evaluated in a double-blind crossover study. The 24-h rhythms of melatonin, cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin appeared remarkably stable over the course of repeated measurement. LVP administration did not affect these 24-h rhythms.

Selected social-psychological characteristics of a sample of Israeli cancer patients: facts and implications.

This paper presents some sociodemographic, medical and psychological data gathered in an ongoing study aimed at early identification of the psychosocial coping potential of adult, Jewish cancer patients in Israel. We show the distribution of a sample of 86 patients on variables such as age, sex, marital status, place of birth, religiosity, medical diagnosis, treatment modality, and duration of illness. We describe the patients' reported behavioral changes, their perceptions of the nature and causes of their illness, and their views on the supportive resources available to them. We also analyze patients' expectations regarding their future functioning in the areas of work, household, family and social relations, and leisure-time activities. On the basis of these initial analyses, we present some recommendations for the improvement of social-psychological intervention with cancer patients.

Role reversal: when doctors become patients.

We intend to present a personal view of the social behavior of doctors in the role of patients. The hypotheses presented here have been formed through personal experience and the accumulation of reports from and about medical colleagues who have been patients. Our purpose is twofold: (a) to describe the mechanisms of doctors becoming patients and (b) to show the difficulties of this role reversal. We tried to show the complex interactions of role changes in both partners, doctor and doctor-patient, because of differences in role identity, in rigidity or flexibility of coping behavior and the myth and beliefs surrounding the very concept of the medical profession.