Search

The distribution and abundance of Ixodes scapularis were studied in Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and portions of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by inspecting small mammals for ticks and by collecting [...]

Results demonstrate that the Ras activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma is brought about by positioning Ras by a loop in the binding domain such that the enzyme binds to switch I and II regions of Ras. Data suggest that the same interactions may occurr in the alpha-form-Ras binding.

Researchers have created a whole-cell system for producing the analgesic hydromorphone that includes a soluble pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase from Pseudomonas fluorescens that regenerates NAD and NADP. This is important because many reactions of commercial interest involve NAD and NADP and the cofactors are expensive. Any process that could regenerate the cofactors would be of great commercial use.

Background Gastrointestinal enteroendocrine cells express chemosensory bitter taste receptors that may play an important role in regulating energy intake (EI) and gut function. Objectives To determine the effect of a bitter hop extract (Humulus lupulus L.) on acute EI, appetite, and hormonal responses. Methods Nineteen healthy-weight men completed a randomized 3-treatment, double-blind, crossover study with a 1-wk washout between treatments. Treatments comprised either placebo or 500 mg of hop extract administered in delayed-release capsules (duodenal) at 11:00 h or quick-release capsules (gastric) at 11:30 h. Ad libitum EI was recorded at the lunch (12:00 h) and afternoon snack (14:00 h), with blood samples taken and subjective ratings of appetite, gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, vitality, meal palatability, and mood assessed throughout the day. Results Total ad libitum EI was reduced following both the gastric (4473 kJ; 95% CI: 3811, 5134; P = 0.006) and duodenal (4439 kJ; 95% CI: 3777, 5102; P = 0.004) hop treatments compared with the placebo (5383 kJ; 95% CI: 4722, 6045). Gastric and duodenal treatments stimulated prelunch ghrelin secretion and postprandial cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide 1, and peptide YY responses compared with placebo. In contrast, postprandial insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, and pancreatic polypeptide responses were reduced in gastric and duodenal treatments without affecting glycemia. In addition, gastric and duodenal treatments produced small but significant increases in subjective measures of GI discomfort (e.g. nausea, bloating, abdominal discomfort) with mild to severe adverse GI symptoms reported in the gastric treatment only. However, no significant treatment effects were observed for any subjective measures of appetite or meal palatability. Conclusions Both gastric and duodenal delivery of a hop extract modulates the release of hormones involved in appetite and glycemic regulation, providing a potential "bitter brake" on EI in healthy-weight men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression in elderly patients appears to result in a greater use of health care resources. Researchers studied 2,558 elderly members of a Seattle HMO. At the beginning of the study, 14% had depressive symptoms, which increased to 16% at two years and 18% at four years. Health care costs were approximately 50% greater in the patients with depressive symptoms and they were not limited to mental health services, which accounted for only 1% of costs. The increase in health care expenditures still persisted after adjusting for the presence of other chronic illnesses., Objective. -- To examine whether depressive symptoms in older adults contribute to increased cost of general medical services. Design. -- A 4-year prospective cohort study. Setting. -- Four primary care clinics of a large staff-model health maintenance organization (HMO) in Seattle, Wash. Patients. -- a total of 5012 Medicare enrollees older than 65 years were invited to participate in the study; 2558 subjects (51%) were successfully enrolled. Nonparticipants were somewhat older and had a higher level of chronic medical illness. Main Outcome Measures. -- Depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, which was administered as part of a mail survey at baseline, at 2 years, and at 4 years; and total cost of medical services from the perspective of the HMO. Data were obtained from the cost accounting system of the HMO. Results. -- In this cohort of older adults, depressive symptoms were common, persistent, and associated with a significant increase in the cost of general medical services. This increase was seen for every component of health care costs and was not accounted for by an increase in specialty mental health care. The increase in health care costs remained significant after adjusting for differences in age, sex, and chronic medical illness. Conclusions. -- Depressive symptoms in older adults are associated with a significant increase in the cost of medical services, ever after adjusting for the severity of chronic medical illness.

Traumatic experiences in childhood or adulthood appear to contribute to adult patients' fears of dental examinations. Researchers analyzed the responses of surveys completed by 462 women aged 18 to 45 years about their dental fears and their history of traumatic experiences including rape, neglect, and physical or emotional abuse. Women who reported experiencing one or more of these traumatic experiences also reported having greater anxiety about dental examinations as compared to women with no history of these experiences. Women who reported having high levels of anxiety towards dental examinations were more likely to have had one or more of these traumatic experiences as compared to women with minimal fear of dental examinations. Among these respondents, 64.5% reported experiencing one or more of these traumas. Previous trauma accounted for 7% of the differences in the respondents' fear of dental examinations.

Depressed patients may respond better to multifaceted treatment than to traditional primary care management. Researchers treated 108 depressed patients with a multifaceted intervention and 109 depressed patients using traditional primary care management. The multifaceted intervention incorporated patient education, collaborative management between the primary care physician and a psychiatrist, and patient monitoring to ensure compliance with drug therapy. Patients with major and minor depression who received the multifaceted treatment were more likely to take their antidepressants as prescribed and reported greater benefits from the medication than traditionally managed patients. Patients in both treatment groups improved significantly during therapy. Those with major depression treated with the multifactorial approach derived greater satisfaction from therapy and experienced fewer and less severe symptoms of depression than traditionally-treated patients., Objective.--To compare the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention in patients with depression in primary care with the effectiveness of "usual care" by the primary care physician. Design.--A randomized controlled trial among primary care patients with major depression or minor depression. Patients.--Over a 12-month period a total of 217 primary care patients who were recognized as depressed by their primary care physicians and were willing to take antidepressant medication were randomized, with 91 patients meeting criteria for major depression and 126 for minor depression. Interventions.--Intervention patients received increased intensity and frequency of visits over the first 4 to 6 weeks of treatment (visits 1 and 3 with a primary care physician, visits 2 and 4 with a psychiatrist) and continued surveillance of adherence to medication regimens during the continuation and maintenance phases of treatment. Patient education in these visits was supplemented by videotaped and written materials. Main Outcome Measures.--Primary outcome measures included short-term (30-day) and long-term (90-day) use of antidepressant medication at guideline dosage levels, satisfaction with overall care for depression and antidepressant medication, and reduction in depressive symptoms. Results.--In patients with major depression, the intervention group had greater adherence than the usual care controls to adequate dosage of antidepressant medication for 90 days or more (75.5% vs 50.0%; P