Cedars-Sinai's approach to the automation of gated perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging is based on the identification of key procedural steps (processing, quantitation, reporting), each of which is then implemented, in completely automated fashion, by use of mathematic algorithms and logical rules combined into expert systems. Our current suite of software applications has been designed to be platform- and operating system-independent, and every algorithm is based on the same 3-dimensional sampling scheme for the myocardium. The widespread acceptance of quantitative software by the nuclear cardiology community (QGS alone is used at over 20,000 locations) has provided the opportunity for extensive validation of quantitative measurements of myocardial perfusion and function, in our opinion, helping to make nuclear cardiology the most accurate and reproducible modality available for the assessment of the human heart. 相似文献
Two new murine monoclonal antibodies, AK 1 and SZ 1, reactive with the human platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex have been produced by the hybridoma technique. Both AK 1 and SZ 1 immunoprecipitated the GP Ib-IX complex from Triton X-100-solubilized, periodate-labeled platelets. With trypsinized, labeled platelets, AK 1, SZ 1, and FMC 25 (epitope on GP IX) immunoprecipitated a membrane-bound proteolytic fragment of the GP Ib-IX complex consisting of GP IX and an congruent to 25,000 mol wt remnant of the alpha-chain of GP lb disulfide-linked to the beta-subunit. Unexpectedly, although AK 1 and SZ 1 immunoprecipitated purified GP Ib-IX complex, neither antibody immunoprecipitated the individual components of this complex, GP Ib or GP IX. When GP Ib and GP IX were recombined, however, AK 1 and SZ 1 again immunoprecipitated the reformed complex, strongly suggesting that both antibodies were recognizing an epitope present only on the intact complex. Cross-blocking studies indicated that AK 1 and SZ 1 recognized a very similar or identical epitope that was proximal to the epitope for FMC 25. Both AK 1 and SZ 1 bound to a similar number of binding sites (congruent to 25,000) on intact platelets as monoclonal antibodies directed against either GP lb or GP IX. The combined data suggests that GP lb and GP IX are fully complexed in the intact platelet membrane. 相似文献
The myeloproliferative syndrome induced by the myeloproliferative sarcoma virus (MPSV) in DBA/2 mice stimulates the proliferation of pluripotent hemopoietic stem cells (HSC) and of progenitors committed toward granulomacrophagic and erythroid cell lines. This stimulation may result from a direct effect of the MPSV on HSC or from an indirect effect via locally secreted factors. Normal isogenic bone marrow cells were incubated in the mixed colony-forming unit system in semisolid medium supplemented with conditioned media obtained after incubating neoplastic spleen cells for 3 days at 37 degrees C. These spleen conditioned media contain an activity that is physically separable from MPSV by ultracentrifugation and which, in the presence of a very low quantity of erythropoietin, can induce in vitro the proliferation and differentiation of pluripotent HSC, detected by this Mix-CFU technique. We termed this activity mixed-colonies promoting activity (MPA). These results suggest that the hyperplasia of the nonlymphoid hematopoietic system in the neoplastic spleen results from an indirect effect of the MPSV on pluripotent HSC via locally secreted factors. 相似文献
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the prognostic importance of measured peak oxygen intake (VO(2peak)) in women with known coronary heart disease referred for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. BACKGROUND: Exercise capacity is a powerful predictor of prognosis in men with known or suspected coronary disease. Similar findings are described in women, but fewer studies have utilized measured VO(2peak), the most accurate measure of exercise capacity. METHODS: A single-center design took data from 2,380 women, age 59.7 +/- 9.5 years (1,052 myocardial infarctions, 620 coronary bypass procedures, and 708 with proven ischemic heart disease), who underwent cardiorespiratory exercise testing. They were followed for an average of 6.1 +/- 5 years (median 4.5 years, range 0.4 to 25 years) until cardiac and all-cause death. RESULTS: We recorded 95 cardiac deaths and 209 all-cause deaths. Measured VO(2peak) was an independent predictor of risk, values > or =13 ml/kg/min (3.7 multiples of resting metabolic rate) conferring a 50% reduction in cardiac mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.5, p = 0.001). Considered as a continuous variable, a 1 ml/kg/min advantage in initial VO(2peak) was associated with a 10% lower cardiac mortality. Adverse predictors were diabetes (HR 2.73, p = 0.0005) and antiarrhythmic therapy (HR 3.93, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: As in men, measured VO(2peak) is a strong independent predictor of cardiac mortality in women referred for cardiac rehabilitation. 相似文献
Forty-three female African green monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus) were selected to represent young adult to advanced geriatric ages (7–24 years) to exhibit a wide range of obesity status (8–53% body fat) and diverse metabolic syndrome criteria such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues were collected and evaluated for the presence of senescence cells in both whole tissue and single-cell isolates from subcutaneous sources, utilizing senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SAβ-gal) staining. Plasma samples were analyzed for selected metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers related to the senescence-associated secretory profile. Our results indicated that tissue staining scores did not differ between subcutaneous and intra-abdominal visceral depots and were highly related within individuals. Tissue staining was significantly associated with chronological age; however, no associations with fatness or metabolic syndrome criteria were observed. Associations with age were unchanged when obesity status was included in regression models. Isolated cell staining did positively relate to age but not tissue staining, suggesting some of the SAβ-gal-positive cells were stromal vascular cells or small adipocytes, but that mature large adipocytes, filtered out in the cell isolation process, are also likely to exhibit positive SAβ-gal staining. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) concentration in circulation was the sole inflammation-related biomarker that positively associated with age and is considered to be a marker of senescent cell burden. Our study is the largest, most comprehensive assessment of adipose SAβ-gal staining in a relevant animal model of human aging, and confirms that this senescence-associated biomarker specifically indicates an age-related process.
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for advanced acute leukemia is associated with a high risk of relapse. It is postulated that interleukin-2 (IL-2) administered after BMT might induce or amplify a graft-versus-leukemia effect and thereby reduce the relapse rate. To identify an IL-2 regimen for testing this hypothesis, a phase I trial of IL-2 (Roche) was performed in children in complete remission (CR) without active graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) off immunosuppressive agents after unmodified allogeneic matched-sibling BMT for acute leukemia beyond first remission. Beginning a median of 68 days after BMT, 17 patients received escalating doses of induction IL-2 (0.9, 3.0, or 6.0 x 10(6) IU/m2/d representing levels I, II, and III) for 5 days by continuous intravenous infusion (CIV). After 6 days of rest, they received maintenance IL-2 (0.9 x 10(6) IU/m2/d) for 10 days by CIV infusion. Levels I and II were well-tolerated, but, of 6 patients at level III, 1 developed pulmonary infiltrates, 1 developed hypotension (both resolved), and 1 died of bacterial sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Grade II acute GVHD developed in 1 patient at level I and 1 at level III. The maximum tolerated dose of induction IL-2 was level II. IL-2 induced lymphocytosis, with an increase in CD56+ and CD8+ cells. Ten patients remain in CR at 5+ to 67+ months. Thus, a regimen of IL-2 has been identified that did not induce a high incidence of acute GVHD when administered to children after unmodified allogeneic BMT. Its clinical activity will be assessed in a phase II trial. 相似文献
We employed the research-to-practice consensus workshop (RTP; workshops held in
New York City and Tompkins County, New York, in 2013) model to merge researcher
and practitioner views of translational research priorities in palliative care.
In the RTP approach, a diverse group of frontline providers generates a research
agenda for palliative care in collaboration with researchers. We have presented
the major workshop recommendations and contrasted the practice-based research
priorities with those of previous consensus efforts. We uncovered notable
differences and found that the RTP model can produce unique insights into
research priorities. Integrating practitioner-identified needs into research
priorities for palliative care can contribute to addressing palliative care more
effectively as a public health issue.Over the past 2 decades, palliative care has become established as a promising approach
for addressing the needs of individuals with life-threatening illnesses from a holistic,
interdisciplinary perspective. For this project, we defined palliative care as an
approach that improves the quality of life of patients and families facing the problems
encountered in life-threatening illness by preventing and relieving suffering. Core
components of palliative care include providing relief from pain and other distressing
symptoms, affirming dying as a normal process, integrating psychological and spiritual
aspects of care, enhancing the quality of life of patients, and offering support systems
to patients and their families to help them live as fully as possible until death
occurs.Research suggests that palliative care results in positive patient outcomes, greater
patient and family satisfaction, and significant cost savings.1,2 The American Public Health Association, the
World Health Organization, and the Institute of Medicine3–6 have identified the
development of a robust palliative care delivery system as a key public health issue
because of the documented ability of palliative care to deliver effective and efficient
patient- and symptom-focused care to a growing population in need.In its 2013 report the American Public Health Association specifically detailed the
public health implications of palliative care, acknowledged the growing burden of
advanced chronic illness and disease in older adults, and recommended key steps to
address the problem. This policy statement called for federal, state, and local efforts
to promote effective symptom management in populations with serious illness or at the
end of life. Other recommended initiatives included the development of a palliative care
workforce, educational programs to improve uptake and use of palliative and hospice
care, and research funding to support the expansion of palliative care initiatives.
Achieving these goals will require moving beyond traditional medical practices to
include both policies and initiatives at the public health level.Despite the potential of palliative care to address the mental and physical health needs
of individuals with advanced illness, significant knowledge gaps impede its reach and
effectiveness. Reports from scientific bodies and consensus workshops have highlighted
weaknesses in the literature and called for more research on palliative care and
improved research methods.7–10 Thus, although both interest in and demand for
palliative care are increasing, reviews of the knowledge base continue to lament the
lack of research on many key issues.11,12Especially urgent is a research agenda that fits most closely with the needs of providers
who deliver palliative care. The systematic engagement of community practitioners in a
consensus process can lead to particularly useful and actionable recommendations for
research,13–15 which are greatly needed at this stage in the
development of the field. Therefore, to shed new light on research priorities in
palliative care, we used a structured, participatory method designed to solicit
practitioner input on research priorities: the research-to-practice consensus workshop
(RTP) model.16We employed the RTP approach to identify knowledge gaps and types of studies that should
be conducted to improve providers’ ability to deliver palliative care most
effectively. This model harnesses practice wisdom by engaging clinicians, agency staff,
and other practitioners with researchers in a process of articulating and refining
research questions and research priorities that honors scientific expertise and practice
wisdom. 相似文献