Sampling rare, short-time, and reactive trajectories is of considerable interest in molecular simulations. These trajectories, which are also called "activated", hop between stable states separated by energy or entropy barriers. Simulations of activated trajectories with random sampling of initial conditions are inefficient, since most initial conditions lead to trajectories that do not pass th...

The activity of alanine-cr-ketoglutarate transaminase (n-alanine :2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.2) is increased markedly in the livers of diabetic or fasted rats (1). The induction of this enzyme also occurs when either intact or adrenalectomized rats are fed diets high in protein or given corticosteroid injections (24). The adaptive response of this enzyme in glucocorticoid-sensiti...

Overweight and obesity are considered a major burden on public health in developed countries. Underlying etiologies are enigmatic and metabolic causes have been suggested to various extents before. We analyze links of major blood parame-ters to individual body mass in a young male cohort, controlling for socio-cultural factors, in order to explore an underly-ing metabolic cause of obesity. Anth...

OBJECTIVE This study examined the risk factors associated with failure of enhanced recovery protocol after major hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) surgery. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective cohort of 194 adult patients undergoing major HBP surgery at a university hospital in Hong Kong was followed up for 30 days. The patients were from a larger cohort study of 736 consecutive adults w...

BACKGROUND Ecstasy is used to improve mood and cordiality; however, based on some reports, it is neurotoxic to human users. OBJECTIVES Because of the euphoria induced by MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) on the users, its consumption is increasing in almost all countries. This study was carried out to determine the effects of ecstasy administration in rats' blood sugar, lipids profile,...

Accepted 18 November 1996 A 32-year-old man who had regularly been consuming heroin was admitted with general weakness. Temperature was 37.5°C, pulse, blood pressure and clinical examination were normal except for a painful swelling of the right leg; there were no abdominal complaints. Laboratory findings were: white blood cell count 14.5 x 109/l, creatinine 171 ,umol/l, creatine kinase 41 508 ...

The populations residing near polluted sites are more prone to various types of diseases. The important causes of air pollution are the suspended particulate matter, respirable suspended particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. As limited information is available enumerating the effect of these pollutants on liver physiology of the population living near the polluted sites; in t...

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disease in domestic cats. This study examined whether dietary iodine restriction can reduce thyroid hormone concentrations in hyperthyroid cats. We performed a 12-week randomized, blinded, prospective study in which hyperthyroid pet cats housed with their owners were fed a control food (n=15) or a prototype restricted iodine food (n=18). Elemental an...

Mild elevations in levels of the liver enzymes alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase are commonly discovered in asymptomatic patients in primary care. Evidence to guide the diagnostic workup is limited. If the history and physical examination do not suggest a cause, a stepwise evaluation should be initiated based on the prevalence of diseases that cause mild elevations in transaminase...