“
“Postpartum hemorrhage is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality after delivery. Active management of postpartum hemorrhage by an uterotonic drug decreases the rate of postpartum hemorrhage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of rectal misoprostol for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. This double blind randomized clinical trial was performed on full term pregnant women candidate for vaginal delivery, referred to Zahedan Imam Ali Hospital

during 2008-2009. They were randomly divided into two groups of rectal misoprostol and oxytocin. The women in misoprostol group received 400 mu g rectal misoprostol after delivery and the women in oxytocin group received 3 IU oxytocin in 1 L ringer serum, SCH 900776 selleck chemical intravenously. Rate of bleeding, need to any surgery interventions, rate of transfusion and changes in hemoglobin and hematocrite were compared between two groups. A total of 400 patients (200 cases in misoprostol group and 200 in oxytocin group) entered to the study. Rate of bleeding > 500 cc was significantly higher

in oxytocin group than misoprostol group (33% vs. 19%) (p = 0.005). Also, need to excessive oxytocin for management of postpartum hemorrhage was significantly lower in misoprostol group than oxytocin group (18% vs. 30%) (p = 0.003). Decrease in hematocrite was significantly more observed in oxytocin group than misoprostol group (mean decrease of hematocrite was 1.3 +/- 1.6 in misoprostol group and 1.6 +/- 2.2 in oxytocin group). Two groups were similar in terms of side-effects. Rectal misoprostol as an uterotonic drug can decrease postpartum hemorrhage and also can prevent from decrease of hemoglobin as compared to oxytocin.”
“We investigate the upconversion emission of CaWO4:Tm3+/Yb3+ polycrystals prepared by the high-temperature

solid-state method. The crystal structure of the polycrystals is characterized by means of x-ray diffraction. Under the excitation of a 980 nm continuous wave diode laser, the samples show intense blue upconversion emissions centered at 473 nm, GS-9973 inhibitor corresponding to the (1)G(4)-> H-3(6) transition of Tm3+. The dependence of the upconversion emission intensity on the pump power of a laser diode is measured, and the results indicate that the two-photon and three-photon processes contribute simultaneously to the blue upconversion emissions. The possible multi-photon upconversion process and upconversion mechanisms are discussed.”
“The catalytic oxidative decomposition of 1,2-dichoroethane was examined over a series of Ce/Zr mixed oxides (CeO2, Ce0.8Zr0.2O2, Ce0.5Zr0.5O2, Ce0.15Zr0.85O2 and ZrO2) treated with a 1 M aqueous solution of H2SO4 or HNO3. After calcination at 550 degrees C, the doped samples were characterised by dynamic thermogravimetry. X-ray diffraction.

These extracts also showed activity against metastatic melanoma, leukemia and osteosarcoma cell lines. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.”
“Objectives: Lexical tone recognition tends to be poor in cochlear implant users. The HiResolution (HiRes) sound-processing strategy is designed to better preserve temporal fine structure, or the detailed

envelope information, of an acoustic signal. The newer HiRes 120 strategy builds on HiRes by increasing the amount of potential spectral information delivered PD98059 price to the implant user. The purpose of this study was to examine lexical tone recognition in native Mandarin Chinese-speaking children with cochlear implants using the HiRes and HiRes 120 sound-processing strategies. Tone recognition performance

was tested with HiRes at baseline and then after up to 6 mo of HiRes 120 experience in the same subjects.\n\nDesign: Twenty prelingually deafened, native Mandarin-speaking children. with ages Dinaciclib ranging from 3.5 to 16.5 yr, participated. All children completed a computerized tone contrast test on three occasions: (1) using HiRes immediately before conversion to HiRes 120 (baseline), (2) 1 mo after conversion, and (3) 3 mo after conversion. Twelve of the 20 children also were tested 6 mo after conversion. In addition, the parents of 18 children completed a questionnaire at the 3-mo follow-up visit regarding the preference of sound-processing strategies and the children’s experience related to various aspects of auditory perception and speech production using HiRes 120.\n\nResults: As a group, no statistically VEGFR inhibitor significant differences were seen between the tone recognition scores using HiRes and HiRes 120. Individual scores showed great variability. Tone recognition performance ranged from chance (50% correct) to nearly perfect. Using the conventional HiRes strategy, 6 of the 20 children achieved high-level

tone recognition performance (i.e., >= 90% correct), whereas 7 performed at a level not significantly different from chance (50-60% correct). At the final test, either 3 or 6 mo after conversion, all children achieved tone recognition performance with HiRes 120 that was equal to or better than that with HiRes, although some children’s tone recognition performance was worse initially at the 1 or 3 mo follow-up intervals than at baseline. Eight of the 20 children showed statistically significant improvement in tone recognition performance with HiRes 120 on at least one of the follow-up tests. Age at implantation was correlated with tone recognition performance at all four test intervals. Parents of most of the children indicated that the children preferred HiRes 120 more than HiRes.\n\nConclusions: As a group, HiRes 120 did not provide significantly improved lexical tone recognition compared to HiRes, at least throughout the length of the study (up to 6 mo).

Results:Fast gait Vactosertib mw speed (p = 0.004), dual task step execution (p = 0.006) and fear of falling (p = 0.001) were still improved in the training group at nine months follow-up. Only self-perceived fear of falling remained significantly improved (p = 0.012) at 15 months follow-up. Although fast gait speed had decreased

to baseline level in the training group (1.49 m/s) it remained significantly higher than in the control group (1.37 m/s) at the end of the study, a difference between the groups that was not seen at baseline. Conclusion:This training program provided important positive short and long-term benefits to gait, balance function, and fear of falling.”
“OBJECTIVE To evaluate the degree of activation of the contact pathway in citrated equine whole blood over holding times smaller than = 30 minutes and assess effects of contact activation on recalcification-initiated thromboelastometry. ANIMALS 11 healthy adult mixed-breed horses. PROCEDURES Blood was collected by atraumatic jugular venipuncture into prewarmed evacuated siliconized glass tubes containing citrate anticoagulant and held at 37 degrees C for smaller than = 30 minutes. Thromboelastometry was performed with an in vitro viscoelasticity (thromboelastometry) monitoring system. Factor XII and factor XI procoagulant activities were determined in contemporaneously collected

platelet-poor plasma samples by assessing changes in turbidity for 1 hour at approximately 25 degrees C, with clotting times calculated by fitting a line to the steepest segment of the absorbance curve and determining its intersection BEZ235 with baseline. Effect selleck inhibitor of holding time on thromboelastometry parameters and plasma enzyme activity was evaluated by repeated-measures ANOVA on ranks. Association of procoagulant activities with coagulation time was determined by Spearman rank-order correlation analysis. RESULTS Thromboelastometry parameters (coagulation time, clot formation time, alpha angle, and maximum clot firmness) reflected significant

increases in coagulability during the holding period. Factor XII and factor XI procoagulant activities were significantly increased at 30 minutes, compared with 2 or 10 minutes (indicating contact activation of samples), and had significant negative correlation with coagulation time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ex vivo activation of the contact system in equine whole blood was evident, suggesting that recalcification of blood in the absence of a trigger is not an acceptable method of assessing the hemostatic system in horses.”
“The syntheses of two novel truncated analogs of the natural substrate orotidine 5′-monophosphate (OMP) for orotidine 5′-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMPDC) with enhanced reactivity toward decarboxylation are reported: 1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl)-5-fluoroorotic acid (FEO) and 5′-deoxy-5-fluoroorotidine (5′-dFO).

The main outcome measure was the office BP change from baseline to the end of the 8-week period. BP was reduced in the treatment group (mean +/- s.e.) systolic -10.0 +/- 1.8 mm Hg and diastolic -3.6 +/- 1.3 mm Hg (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.01), but not in the controls +1.6 +/- 2.1 and

-1.0 +/- 1.4 mm Hg P<0.4 and P > 0.4, respectively. Test for between group difference P < 0.0001 and P = 0.08. The subjects were highly compliant with the treatment, performing 75% of the requested exercise sessions. Greater BP reduction was observed with increased compliance with Tubastatin A inhibitor device usage (P = 0.01 and P = 0.001). It is concluded that self-treatment with device-guided breathing at home for 8 weeks by non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients was associated with a substantial reduction in office systolic BP.”
“Background and objective: Septic pulmonary embolism due to periodontal disease (SPE-PD) is rarely reported and little is known LY2835219 molecular weight about its clinical features. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological features, as well as outcome, in SPE-PD.\n\nMethods: Patients’ records were retrospectively reviewed and 12 patients with SPE-PD were identified (10 men, mean age 60.5 years). The patients’ demographic features, laboratory

data, physical and radiological findings, and clinical outcomes were evaluated.\n\nResults: All but one patient were smokers. Eight of the 12 patients had comorbidities including hypertension (58%) and/or diabetes

mellitus (17%). Prevalent symptoms were fever (67%) and chest pain (58%). Only two patients fulfilled the criteria of systemic inflammatory response syndrome; most of the subjects were not clinically severely ill. Blood cultures were negative in all cases. Contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) showed multiple peripheral nodules in all 12 patients, wedge-shaped peripheral lesions abutting on the pleura in 10 (83%) and a feeding-vessel sign in 9 (75%). All patients recovered from their illness after antimicrobial therapy concomitant with tooth extraction or periodontal care. The median duration of antibiotic administration was 51 days.\n\nConclusions: Most patients with SPE-PD were not seriously BBI608 ill. Contrast-enhanced chest CT appeared to be useful to diagnose SPE-PD.”
“Background Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality and improves symptoms in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) and ventricular dyssynchrony. This randomized, double-blind, controlled study evaluated whether optimizing the interventricular stimulating interval (V-V) to sequentially activate the ventricles is clinically better than simultaneous V-V stimulation during CRT.\n\nMethods Patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) III or IV HF, meeting both CRT and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator indications, randomly received either simultaneous CRT or CRT with optimized V-V settings for 6 months.

79% and 41.02%, respectively, less than the control group. The colonies and depth of the biofilm in the co-culture group were 27.4% and 22.81% less than the control group. The assembly of S. mutans and S-IgA was observed under CLSM after co-cultivation. In the mature-stage biofilm, no differences were observed between the different groups.\n\nConclusion: These results demonstrate that the anti-caries DNA vaccine induces the production of specific S-IgA antibodies that may prevent dental caries by inhibiting the initial

adherence of S. mutans onto tooth surfaces, thereby reducing the accumulation of S. mutans on the acquired pellicles.”
“Objective Examine the relationship between Cytoskeletal Signaling inhibitor antibodies to 25 oral bacteria and pancreatic PFTα datasheet cancer risk in a prospective

cohort study.\n\nDesign We measured antibodies to oral bacteria in prediagnosis blood samples from 405 pancreatic cancer cases and 416 matched controls, nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. Analyses were conducted using conditional logistic regression and additionally adjusted for smoking status and body mass index.\n\nResults Individuals with high levels of antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis ATTC 53978, a pathogenic periodontal bacteria, had a twofold higher risk of pancreatic cancer than individuals with lower levels of these antibodies (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.05 to 4.36; >200ng/ml vs 200ng/ml). To explore the association with commensal (non-pathogenic) oral bacteria, we performed

a cluster analysis and identified two groups of individuals, based on their antibody profiles. A cluster with overall Vadimezan research buy higher levels of antibodies had a 45% lower risk of pancreatic cancer than a cluster with overall lower levels of antibodies (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.83).\n\nConclusions Periodontal disease might increase the risk for pancreatic cancer. Moreover, increased levels of antibodies against specific commensal oral bacteria, which can inhibit growth of pathogenic bacteria, might reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. Studies are needed to determine whether oral bacteria have direct effects on pancreatic cancer pathogenesis or serve as markers of the immune response.”
“The aim of this study was to obtain pharmacogenetic data in a Vietnamese population on genes coding for proteins involved in the elimination of drugs currently used for the treatment of malaria and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.\n\nThe main polymorphisms on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, and the multi-drug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) were genotyped in 78 healthy Vietnamese subjects. Pharmacokinetic metrics were available for CYP2A6 (coumarin), CYP2C19 (mephenytoin), CYP2D6 (metoprolol) and CYP3As (midazolam), allowing correlations with the determined genotype.

The egg yolks of hens, which had access to grassland, contained approximately double the amount of carotenoid concentration than the egg yolks of hens housed in battery cages (p < 0.001). The kinetics of the carotenoid concentration in the egg yolks, depending on fodder, housing and weather conditions, were investigated. (C) 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)”
“A number of pharmacological agents have been the focus of clinical trials over the past years. Although no single pharmacological agent is recommended by current guidelines, preliminary negative findings regarding the safety of a triple therapy regimen consisting of prednisone, azathioprine and N-acetylcysteine have

raised the question GSK923295 inhibitor of whether it is no longer a treatment option. More recent data have resulted in the approval of pirfenidone in Europe. Pirfenidone shows a favourable risk-benefit

profile and a beneficial effect in reducing the decline in lung function in patients with IPF. This case study describes the diagnosis and initial treatment of a patient with IPF with triple therapy of prednisone, azathioprine and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) followed by inclusion into a JQ1 solubility dmso double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study and subsequent open-label extension trial of pirfenidone in IPF.”
“BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System (TLICS) system has been developed to improve injury classification and guide surgical decision-making, yet validation of this new system remains sparse. PURPOSE: This study evaluates the use of the TLICS in a large, consecutive series of patients.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This is a retrospective case series. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 458 patients treated for thoracic or lumbar spine trauma between 2000 and 2010 at a single, tertiary medical center were included in this study. OUTCOME MEASURES: American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) status and crossover from conservative to surgical treatment check details were measured. METHODS: Clinical and radiological data were evaluated, classifying the injuries by ASIA status, the Magerl/AO classification, and the TLICS system. RESULTS: A total of 310 patients (67.6%) was treated conservatively (group 1) and 148 patients (32.3%) were surgically (group 2) treated. All patients in group 1 were ASIA E, except one (ASIA C). In this group, 305 patients (98%) had an AO type A fracture. The TLICS score ranged from 1 to 7 (mean 1.53, median 1). A total of 307/310 (99%) patients matched TLICS treatment recommendation (TLICS smaller than = 4), except three with distractive injuries (TLICS 7) initially misdiagnosed. Nine patients (2.9%) were converted to surgical management. In group 2, 105 (70.9%) were ASIA E, whereas 43 (29%) had neurological deficits (ASIA A-D). One hundred and three patients (69.5%) were classified as AO type A, 36 (24.3%) as type B, and 9 (6%) as type C.

Poignantly we show that acute starvation which is detrimental to wild-type animals is beneficial in terms of metabolism and muscle function in the myostatin null mice by normalising tension production.”
“PURPOSE. To investigate the cause of the syndrome characterized by endothelial

dystrophy, iris hypoplasia, congenital cataract, and stromal thinning (EDICT).\n\nMETHODS. Previously a multigenerational family was reported that comprised 10 individuals affected by syndromal anterior segment dysgenesis. Blood samples were re-collected from eight affected and two unaffected individuals, and genomic DNA was extracted. A total of 24 candidate genes NCT-501 and 4 microRNAs residing within the critical interval were sequenced bidirectionally. In silico analyses were performed to examine the effect of the causal variant on the stability of the pre-microRNA structure.\n\nRESULTS. Bidirectional sequencing identified the single-base substitution +57C > T in miR-184. This variation segregated with the disease phenotype and was absent in the 1000 Genomes project, 1130 control chromosomes, and 28 nonhuman vertebrates.\n\nCONCLUSIONS. The single-base-pair substitution in the seed region of miR-184 is responsible for the disease phenotype observed in EDICT syndrome. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;

53: 348-353) DOI:10.1167/iovs.11-8783″
“Purpose. To investigate the depth of field of pseudophakic eye implanted Selleckchem Ulixertinib with translating optics accommodating Savolitinib intraocular lenses (AIOLs).\n\nMethods. Theoretical analyses using paraxial optics equations were used. The crystalline lens in the Navarro eye model was replaced with an AIOL modeled as a thin-lens

system with either a single lens element (1E-AIOL) or two element (2E-AIOL). To quantify the depth of field, a reference limit for retinal blur circle diameter was adopted from typical values of depth of field of the normal eye. Effect of various factors including AIOL type, lens element power, implant position, and pseudophakic accommodation on depth of field were analyzed.\n\nResults. Depth of field increased with more posterior positioning of the AIOL and decreased with pseudophakic accommodation by translation of optics. However, the changes did not exceed 0.02 D over the range of factors tested. Effective depth of field, defined as the magnification adjusted depth of field, is relatively independent of the implant position and power combination of AIOL. Effects of varying design factors on the depth of field of AIOL are too small to be clinically observable.\n\nConclusions. Although depth of field extends the range of near vision with AIOL, varying design and surgical factors such as depth of implantation and optical power of lens element(s) within clinically practical limits modifies depth of field by an insignificant amount.

5 and 60 degrees C. The

results indicated that the enzyme was thermostable and retained full activity even after 1 hour of incubation at 60 degrees C. The purified enzyme substantially inhibited the growth of R. solani, indicating that this enzyme may be actually involved in the antagonistic process.”
“Nuclear positioning is a crucial cell function, but how a migrating cell positions its nucleus is not understood. Using CP-456773 Immunology & Inflammation inhibitor traction-force microscopy, we found that the position of the nucleus in migrating fibroblasts closely coincided with the center point of the traction-force balance, called the point of maximum tension (PMT). Positioning of the nucleus close to the PMT required nucleus-cytoskeleton connections through linker of nucleoskeleton-to-cytoskeleton (LINC) complexes. Although the nucleus briefly lagged behind the PMT following spontaneous detachment of the uropod during migration, the nucleus quickly

repositioned to the PMT within a few minutes. Moreover, traction-generating spontaneous protrusions deformed the nearby nucleus surface to pull the nuclear centroid toward the new PMT, and subsequent retraction of these protrusions relaxed the nuclear deformation and restored the nucleus to its original position. We propose that the protruding or retracting cell LOXO-101 research buy boundary transmits a force to the surface of the nucleus through the intervening cytoskeletal network connected by the LINC complexes, and that these forces help to position the nucleus centrally and allow the nucleus to efficiently propagate traction forces across the length of the cell during migration.”
“The modification of the backbone conformation and aggregation behaviour of conjugated polymers is of great importance for aiding the design of efficient organic semiconductors. We report the optical and electronic properties of polymer alloys comprising regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and an insulating matrix of polystyrene (PS) or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The charge carrier selleck chemicals mobilities in the polymer alloys

were evaluated by flash-photolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity (FP-TRMC) and transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS). The mobility was found to vary with the matrix and blend ratio. Photoabsorption and fluorescence spectroscopies provide a rationale for the conformation and aggregation of P3HT. Phase separations in the blend films were investigated by atomic force microscopy to support the FP-TRMC results. Moreover, we design a styrene-perylene-diimide (PDI) copolymer (St-PDI) and a methyl methacrylate-PDI copolymer (MMA-PDI), which simultaneously allow the dispersion of electron-accepting PDI removing the contribution of electron mobility, a spectroscopic probe of the PDI radical anion, and modulation of the electronic features of P3HT. A hole mobility of 0.07 cm(2) V-1 s(-1) was determined for P3HT : St-PDI by FP-TRMC and TAS.

We used anthropometry and survival data from 2402 children aged between 0 and 24 mo in a rural area of the Democratic Republic of Congo with high malnutrition and mortality rates and limited nutritional rehabilitation. Analyses used Cox proportional hazard models and receiver operating this website characteristic curves. Univariate analysis and age-adjusted analysis showed predictive ability of all indices. Multivariate analysis without age adjustment showed that only very low weight velocity [HR = 3.82 (95%CI = 1.91, 7.63); P < 0.001] was independently predictive. With age adjustment, very low

weight velocity [HR = 3.61 (95%CI = 1.80, 7.25); P < 0.001] was again solely retained as an independent predictor. ARN-509 in vitro There was no evidence for a difference in predictive ability between WFL and BMI-FA. This paper shows the value of attained BMI-FA, a marker of wasting

status, and recent weight velocity, a marker of the wasting process, in predicting child death using the WHO child growth standards. WFL and BMI-FA appear equivalent as predictors. J. Nutr. 142: 520-525, 2012.”
“Little is known about the correlation between TGFBR2 G-875A and breast cancer risk. Moreover, the associations of the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) in breast cancer tissues with the TGFB1 C-509T, T+29C and TGFBR2 G-875A polymorphisms remain to be determined. In this study, we genotyped for TGFB1 C-509T, T+29C and TGFBR2 G-875A in fresh surgically resected tissues (n=82) and PXD101 inhibitor archived paraffin-embedded specimens (n=88) from 170 patients with breast cancer, as well as peripheral blood samples from 178 cancer-free female individuals. Evaluation of ER, PR and HER2 expression was performed using immunohistochemical staining. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the risk of breast cancer by calculating the odds ratios (ORs)

and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). As a result, no difference was observed in the TGFB1 C-509T, T+29C genotype and allele frequencies between patients and controls. However, the frequency of the TGFBR2 -875A allele was marginally higher in cancer-free female individuals than that of women with breast cancer (24.2 vs. 17.9%, P=0.05). Notably, when stratification was performed by ER, PR and HER2 expression, the TGFBR2 -875A allele was found to correlate significantly to a decreased risk of breast cancer with ER+ (OR=0.57, 95% CI 0.35-0.92), PR+ (00.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.88), ER+PR+ (OR=0.55, 95% CI 0.33-0.92) and HER2(-) (OR=0.55, 95% CI 0.34-0.88) under a dominant genetic model.

Proteinuria (urine protein:creatinine ratio = 1.5) occurred in the absence of renal failure. Qualitative assessment of proteinuria by sodium dodecyl sulfate-agarose gel electrophoresis revealed

a broad band with a molecular weight of approximately 15 kDa that was compatible with lysozyme (LZM). A diagnosis of tubular buy Navitoclax proteinuria was made, and a chemical evaluation of LZM in serum and urine samples was performed using a turbidimetric assay. The LZM concentrations were 24.5 mg/l (reference interval: 2.5-8.0 mg/l) and 274.5 mg/l (reference interval: <2 mg/l) in serum and urine, respectively.”
“Introduction. The liver plays a key role in the removal of lipophyllic substances from the plasma, including both morphine and its derivative heroin. Intravenous heroin abuse leads to liver damages, so that the effects of heroin intake are the most marked

and characteristic in the liver.\n\nObjective. A histochemical and ultastructural study of the liver, particularly hepatocyte glycogen content, should provide a precise insight into the type and degree of liver damage induced by intravenous heroin abuse.\n\nMethods. The study included Silmitasertib molecular weight the analysis of 50 autopsies, 40 from the group of intravenous heroin abusers and 10 control autopsies. Paraffin sections, 5 gm thick, were stained by PAS method for deposited glycogen staining. The ultrastructural investigation was performed on transmission electron microscope.\n\nResults. ATM/ATR inhibitor clinical trial Glycogen amount was reduced proportionally to the severity and distribution of degenerative and necrotic hepatocytic lesions. Regarding deposited glycogen depletion in particular acinar zones, glycogen was most preserved in zone 1 (30% of studied cases), then in zone 3 (preserved in 25%), while the depletion

was most significant in intermediary zone (preserved in 5%). In the intravenous heroin abusers group of up to 2 years glycogen was preserved in the acinar zones 1,2 and 3 in 43%, 30% and 57%, respectively; in the group of over 10 years glycogen preservation in zone 1 was 25% and in other zones 0%.\n\nConclusion. Intravenously administered heroin directly influences glycogen reduction in the hepatocytes, and the effect is potentiated by morphologic changes in the liver due to intravenous heroin abuse. Glycogen depletion in the hepatocytes reduces energy reserves in these cells and causes cell death, which is an important segment of general liver injury in intravenous heroin abusers. The degree of reduction of glycogen depositions is proportional to the duration of intravenous heroin abuse”
“Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a metabolic disorder of lysosomes to digest Asn-linked glycoproteins. The specific enzyme linked to AGU is a lysosomal hydrolase called glycosylasparaginase. Crystallographic studies revealed that a surface loop blocks the catalytic center of the mature hydrolase.