We have assessed the evidence that closed tracheal suction systems (TSS) prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), using a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched PubMed and Cochrane databases to identify RCTs that compared closed with open TSS for the management of mechanically ventilated (MV) patients. Nine RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. There was no d...

Changes in mature microRNA (miRNA) levels that occur downstream of signaling cascades play an important role during human development and disease. However, the regulation of primary microRNA (pri-miRNA) genes remains to be dissected in detail. To address this, we followed a data-driven approach and developed a transcript identification, validation and quantification pipeline for characterizing ...

A 66-year-old man with pancreatic cancer developed an anastomotic leakage of the pancreaticogastrostomy 15 days after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. An easy-flow drain was identified endoscopically in the extraluminal cavity. Two-sided sponge (TSS) treatment was initiated [1]. A gastric tube was attached to the outer end of the drain with adhesive tape (Opsite Flexfix; Smith & Neph...

Accurate identification of persons with genital herpes is necessary for optimal patient management and prevention of transmission. Because of inherent inaccuracies, clinical diagnosis of genital herpes should be confirmed by laboratory testing for the causative agents herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV type 2 (HSV-2). Further identification of the HSV type is valuable for counselling o...

To understand how potential for G-quadruplex formation might influence regulation of gene expression, we examined the 2 kb spanning the transcription start sites (TSS) of the 18 217 human RefSeq genes, distinguishing contributions of template and nontemplate strands. Regions both upstream and downstream of the TSS are G-rich, but the downstream region displays a clear bias toward G-richness on ...

Escherichia coli O104:H4 (E. coli O104:H4), which caused a massive outbreak of acute gastroenteritis and hemolytic uremic syndrome in 2011, carries an aggregative adherence fimbriae I (AAF/I) encoding virulence plasmid, pAA. The importance of pAA in host-pathogen interaction and disease severity has been demonstrated, however, not much is known about its transcriptional organization and gene re...

The fixation of atmospheric N(2) by cyanobacteria is a major source of nitrogen in the biosphere. In Nostocales, such as Anabaena, this process is spatially separated from oxygenic photosynthesis and occurs in heterocysts. Upon nitrogen step-down, these specialized cells differentiate from vegetative cells in a process controlled by two major regulators: NtcA and HetR. However, the regulon cont...

The results of the TSS-1R mission generated several scientific puzzles. First the current collection was much more efficient than predicted on the basis of theoretical models, and previous laboratory and rocket experiments. Second, a sharp transition in the interaction physics occurred at threshold potentials between 5-10 V. Third, a significant population of suprathermal electrons, heated iono...

BACKGROUND The Ascites Impact Measure (AIM) was developed to record patients' daily experiences of symptoms that trigger a request for a paracentesis. METHODS Development of the AIM followed a rigorous step-wise approach, including a review of the literature, expert opinions, and qualitative research involving patients who experience symptomatic malignant ascites. The AIM's measurement proper...