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The purpose of the present study is to determine if there is a relationship between oral narrative production and the reading comprehension of expository text. The researcher measured both overall ...

The human endometrium is receptive to the embryo for a specific period of time known as the window of implantation (WOI). During this period, the endometrium shows a specific gene expression profile suitable for endometrial function evaluation. ER Map is a molecular tool able to accurately predict endometrial receptivity status by transcriptomic analysis. In this retrospective study, including 2256 subfertile patients undergoing ART treatment, the clinical value of precise WOI determination is studied in detail. Results obtained when single embryo transfers (sET) were scheduled either within the WOI timeframe as established by ER Map, or deviating from this WOI, are assessed and compared. Data obtained showed that 34.18% (771/2256) of patients had a displaced WOI. Analysis of ART outcomes showed significantly higher pregnancy rates in transfers scheduled within the WOI predicted compared to transfers that deviated more than 12h from this WOI (44.35% vs 23.08%, p

Despite recent advances, treatment of patients with aggressive Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL 2 ) has yet to be optimally designed. Notwithstanding the contribution of molecular treatments, intensiflcation of chemotherapeutic regimens may still be beneflcial. Hoping to aid in the design of intensifled chemotherapy, we put forward a mathematical and computational model that analyses the efiect of Doxorubicin on NHL over a wide range of patho-physiological conditions. The model represents tumour growth both in difiusion-limited settings, that is, in small avascular tumours and tumour cords, and in perfusion-limited settings, e.g. in well-vascularized tumours. Model simulations indicated the presence of a critical regimen intensity below which treatment will fall short of tumour elimination. Taking this critical intensity into account, we compared two regimen intensiflcation strategies: Dose escalation and regimen densiflcation, i.e. reducing the inter-dosing interval. In the difiusion-limited setting, dose escalation was somewhat more e-cient than regimen densiflcation. In the perfusion-limited setting, both intensiflcation strategies yielded similar results. The present study coupled with a realistic myelotoxicity model may add insight on the optimisation of NHL intensifled chemotherapy design.

International audience; Doxorubicin treatment outcomes for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) are mathematically modelled and computationally analyzed. The NHL model includes a tumor structure incorporating mature and immature vessels, vascular structural adaptation and NHL cell-cycle kinetics in addition to Doxorubicin pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). Simulations provide qualitative estimations of the effect of Doxorubicin on high-grade (HG), intermediate-grade (IG) and low-grade (LG) NHL. Simulation results imply that if the interval between successive drug applications is prolonged beyond a certain point, treatment will be inefficient due to effects caused by heterogeneous blood flow in the system.

Background Improvements in the management of children with hepatoblastoma have followed advances made in cytotoxic agents and treatment regimens. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of Lipiodol™, an iodinated poppy-seed oil, on the uptake of anthracyclic cytotoxic conjugates by hepatoblastoma cells in culture. Methods Monolayer cultures of (1) a hepatoblastoma cell line generated from freshly explanted tumour tissue, (2) an immortal hepatoblastoma cell line (C3a) and (3) a human hepatocyte cell line were exposed to doxorubicin 10 µg/ml with or without 2 per cent Lipiodol™ for 1–72 h. The fluorescence intensity in the treated cells, which correlates with intracellular doxorubicin concentration, was measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cytotoxicity was assessed by trypan blue exclusion and electron microscopy. Results Doxorubicin accumulated in the nucleus and cytoplasm of all the cell lines. With Lipiodol™, the mean fluorescence intensity of intracellular doxorubicin was increased for up to 48 h in both hepatoblastoma lines, but not in the hepatocyte cell line. Lipiodol™ increased the uptake and intracellular concentration of doxorubicin in the hepatoblastoma cells in culture. Lipiodol™ also enhanced the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin on the cultured hepatoblastoma cells. Conclusion Lipiodol™ significantly enhanced the uptake of doxorubicin by hepatoblastoma cells in culture. Lipiodol™–doxorubicin targeted treatment of hepatoblastoma may improve the intracellular uptake and hence cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in vivo, enabling a reduction in the total dose administered and side-effects.

Background The heart contains a variety of morphologically distinct nerve terminals known to influence cardiac function. Little is known about the distribution, morphology, and neurochemistry of these terminals in the human heart. Methods and Results We examined the entire endocardial and epicardial surfaces of infant and adult hearts obtained postmortem and at transplantation using immunohistochemical and histochemical staining of whole-mount preparations in conjunction with confocal and fluorescence microscopy. Terminals arising from nerve fibers (diameter, 6 to 10 μm) immunoreactive for myelin basic protein were identified in the atrial endocardium, epicardium, and coronary sinus, and four types were distinguished by differences in immunostained nerve area (range, 358 to 797 μm 2 ) and dispersion (range, 620 to 4684 μm 2 ). These terminals displayed immunoreactivity for tyrosine hydroxylase, neuropeptide Y, and the general neural marker protein gene product 9.5. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was detected in 2 ; 18 to 53 μm 2 , 95% CI; and mean dispersion, 59 μm 2 ; 38 to 80 μm 2 , 95% CI) was demonstrated to arise from nonmyelinated fibers (mean diameter, 2.5 μm; 2.2 to 2.8 μm, 95% CI) in the endocardial plexus of the atria and left ventricle and were predominantly AChE-positive. Conclusions Specialized nerve terminals are distributed more widely in the human heart than has been described in experimental animals. These terminals express either AChE activity or tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity, suggesting that acetylcholine, catecholamines, and neuropeptide Y may be present in sensory and autonomic nerves in the human heart.

Objective: The endocardium contains an extensive neural plexus, the composition and function of which are unclear. The aim of this study was to characterise the innervation of the endocardium in terms of the relative density and distribution of its autonomic and sensory nerve subpopulations and to assess the relationship between these nerves and endocardial endothelial cells. Methods : Immunohistochemical, histochemical, confocal, and quantitative image processing techniques were applied to whole mount preparations of human postmortem endocardium obtained within 24 h of death. Results : The overall distribution of nerve fibres and fascicles was demonstrated using antisera to the general neural marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). Nerves displaying acetylcholinesterase activity represented the main nerve subpopulation, occupying 9- 18% of the quantified field area. Neuropeptide Y immunoreactive nerves formed the most numerous peptide containing nerve subpopulation identified, occupying 5-19% and 2-7% of the field area in the ventricle and atrial endocardium respectively and having similar distribution patterns to tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive nerves. Nerves showing immuno- reactivity for somatostatin. vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and substance P were detected at a lower density, occurred more frequently in the venlricular than atrial endocardium, and showed a similar distribution in the right and left sides of the heart. Combined peptide immunofluorescence and acetylcholinesterase staining, of the same preparation, indicated that putative sympathetic and sensory nerve subpopulations could be distinguished from presumed parasympathetic, acetylcholinesterase positive, nerves. The relationship between immunostained nerves and endothelial cells was assessed using confocal microscopy. Varicose nerve fibres were detected within 0.2 μm of overlying endothelial cells in the right ventricle and between 0.4-0.6 μm in the left ventricle. Conclusions: The heterogeneous population of nerve fibres demonstrated in the human endocardium may influence the known interaction between endocardial endothelial cells and the myocardium. Cardiovascular Research 1994; 28 :1490-1499

An experimental procedure is described to estimate the extent of evaporative weathering experienced by crude oils spilled in the marine environment. The essence of the procedure is the division of the crude oil into a series of pseudo-fractions by boiling point, and the subsequent modelling of the evaporative behaviour of each with the appropriate n-paraffin. The n-paraffin distributions of a number of naturally weathered crude oils were determined by capillary gas-liquid chromatography using fused silica columns. The actual extents determined by this procedure were compared with those generated by a computer simulation of the weathering, where the evaporative losses were modelled using film thickness, film temperature and weather data. Excellent results were obtained for oil film thicknesses between 10 μm and 1 mm, weathered for periods of up to 4 weeks.

The Hybrid Cellular Automata (HCA) modelling framework can be an efficient approach to a number of biological problems, particularly those which involve the integration of multiple spatial and temporal scales. As such, HCA may become a key modelling tool in the development of the so-called integrative biology. In this paper, we first discuss HCA on a general level and then present results obtained when this approach was implemented in cancer research.

Background Limited information exists on the innervation of human cardiac valves and the relationship of nerve fibers and terminals with functional elements within leaflets. Methods and Results We examined human AV and arterial valves, obtained postmortem and at surgery, using quantitative immunohistochemical, histochemical, and confocal microscopic techniques. Significant differences in nerve density and distribution were found both between and within cardiac valves. Nerve density within the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve, for example, was twofold greater than that in the posterior leaflet ( P P Conclusions Human cardiac valves have distinct patterns of innervation that comprise both primary sensory and autonomic components. The presence of distinct nerve terminals and the close association of varicose nerve fibers with endothelial, smooth muscle, and fibroblast cells suggest a possible neural involvement in the control of valvar function.

AIM: To analyse the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 60 in biliary epithelium in auto-immune liver conditions and also in chronic cholestatic and other liver diseases. METHODS: Hepatic expression of HSP-60 in frozen liver biopsy specimens from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), auto-immune hepatitis (AIH), obstructive jaundice (LDO), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and from normal controls was studied by immunohistochemistry using the APAAP technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: Increased expression of HSP-60 was demonstrated in the biliary epithelium of patients with PBC, LDO and, to a lesser extent, with PSC. Focal, weaker, biliary epithelial expression of HSP-60 was observed in AIH, ALD and normal liver tissue. Increased expression was also seen on Kupffer cells in LDO and in hepatocytes in areas of piecemeal necrosis in AIH. CONCLUSION: Enhanced biliary expression of HSP-60 is a common feature of chronic biliary disease irrespective of aetiology and is not specific to auto-immune diseases.

The method for the separation of heavy petroleum hydrocarbons Into structural types-saturates, aromatics and polar materials has been modifled. The eluants, carbon tetrachloride and benzene that are carcinogenic and toxic, were successfully replaced with dichloromethane and petroleum spirit mixtures (35:65 and 82:18, respectively). The modified method was successfully applied to raffinates, extracts, hydrocracker products, heavy distillates, atmospheric and vacuum bottoms and other deasphalted residues (maltenes). An Improved handling technique was developed for hydrocarbon oils containing asphaltenes utilizing a preliminary deasphalting step with n-pentane. The precision of the technique was established for the saturates measured at ± 0.4% for a wide range of hydrocarbon oils.