PURPOSE To determine whether bovine retinal endothelial cells (BRECs) bind, synthesize, and respond to vasculotropin-vascular endothelial growth factor (VAS-VEGF). METHODS Cultured BRECs were tested for their ability to bind 125I VAS-VEGF and their response to the growth and migration-promoting effect of VAS-VEGF. Total RNAs extracted from BRECs were reverse transcribed and amplified by polym...

The DEAD-box RNA helicase Vasa (Vas) is required for germ cell development and function, as well as for embryonic somatic posterior patterning. Vas interacts with the general translation initiation factor eIF5B (cIF2, also known as dIF2), and thus may regulate translation of specific mRNAs. In order to investigate which functions of Vas are related to translational control, we have analyzed the...

BACKGROUND Olfactory dysfunction, including anosmia and hyposmia is difficult to treat. Although the mechanism is not well known, stellate ganglion block (SGB) is used to treat olfactory dysfunction. There are no prior studies on the long-term effects of SGB on olfactory dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the continuity of therapeutic effects and patient satisfaction with SG...

BACKGROUND Idiopathic left ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and those caused by structural heart disease can originate from the papillary muscles, fascicles, and mitral annulus. Differentiation of these arrhythmias can be challenging because they present with a right bundle branch block morphology by electrocardiography. We sought to identify clinical, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiologica...

This paper critically reviews theoretical and empirical propositions regarding visual analogue scale (VAS) valuations of health states and their use in cost-utility analysis (CUA). A widely repeated assertion in the economic evaluation literature is the inferiority, on theoretical grounds, of VAS valuations. Five common criticisms are: VAS lacks a theoretical foundation; VAS values are not 'cho...

BACKGROUND Congenital absence of the vas deferens is an important cause of obstructive azoospermia, and the lack of an imaging diagnostic test is a critical problem. The aim of this study is to discuss the use of ultrasonography in congenital absence of vas deferens, including dysplasia of the epididymis and the seminal vesical. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five fresh spermatic cord specimens were dete...

objective: to determine bilateral effects of unilateral iatrogenic vas deferens trauma (uit) on epididymal sperm characteristics and in vitro fertilizing capacity in an experimental mouse model. methods: experiments were performed on three equal groups each comprising six adult male mice. following anaesthesia, uit was induced by clamping left vas deferens with a mosquito clamp in fully locked ...

background measuring health status by using standardized and validated instrument has become a growing concern over the past few decades throughout the developed and developing countries. the aim of the study was to investigate the overall self-reported health status along with potential inequalities by using euroqol 5 dimensions (eq-5d) instrument among low-income people of bangladesh.   me...

As a new complication, new-onset ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) post atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation have not been well defined. This prospective study aimed to describe the details of new-onset VAs post AF ablation in a large study cohort.One thousand fifty-three consecutive patients who underwent the first radiofrequency catheter ablation for AF were enrolled. All patients had no evidence of...