Methods: 35 subjects aged 67.8 +/- 10.6 years, with FEV(1) 59 +/- 16% of predicted, were randomised to a 6-week ‘intervention’ period of supervised exercise

training (n = 20) or usual care (n = 15). This period was preceded by a 3-week run-in period during which asthma control was assessed weekly. Functional exercise capacity (6-min walk distance, 6MWD) and QOL (Asthma QOL Questionnaire, AQLQ) were measured before, immediately following and 3 months after the intervention period. Results: 34 subjects (exercise group, n = 19, and control group, n = 15) completed the intervention period. Relative to the control group, the exercise group had greater improvements immediately following and 3 months after the intervention in the AQLQ symptom domain (0.61, p = 0.001, and 0.57 points per item, p = 0.005) and AQLQ activity limitation domain (0.43, p = 0.04, and 0.55 points RepSox nmr per item, p = 0.04). 6MWD increased (36 +/- 37 m, p < 0.01) in the exercise group immediately following training and remained elevated (34 +/- 45 m, p < 0.01) at the 3-month follow-up. The magnitude of change in 6MWD between groups was not significant, despite no change in the control group. Conclusions: Supervised exercise training improves symptoms and QOL in adults with FAOA. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Objective:

To share our experience in treating a large cohort of infants with congenital vallecular cysts using endoscopic laser marsupialization. We describe the clinical characteristics of infants with pediatric

vallecular cysts and compare these characteristics betweeh infants with and without concurrent Stattic laryngomalacia and those who did or did not require preoperative airway support.

Methods: Medical records of infants treated for vallecular cyst at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital www.sellecn.cn/products/bmn-673.html between March 1994 and July 2008 were reviewed. Demographic and clinical characteristics and outcomes were recorded and compared.

Results: Twenty-eight infants were included in our study: 11(39.3%) males and 17 (60.7%) females. The incidence of vallecular cyst was 5.3 cases/100,000 live births. Median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 3.0 and 40.0 days, respectively. Mean symptom onset to diagnosis interval was 42.4 days. Eighteen (64.3%) infants had coexisting laryngomalacia and 11 (39.3%) required ventilatory support. The number of symptoms decreased in all patients after surgery (median no. symptoms before = 4.5, after = 0.5) and most symptoms were completely resolved within 3 months of surgery. Compared with infants who did not have laryngomalacia, infants with laryngomalacia: were younger at symptom onset (2 vs 10 days); had more symptoms before (5.0 vs 3.5) and after treatment (1.0 vs 0.0); had a longer length of hospital (14.6 vs 9.4 days) stay; and more commonly required airway intervention compared with infants without laryngomalacia (55.6% vs 10.

An analytic approximation Proteasome inhibitor is given for the effective energy barriers separating energy wells. The evolution of the hysteresis loop as a function of temperature is shown to take place between the ultimate Stoner-Wohlfarth loop and the equilibrium magnetization curve. Analytical estimates for the coercive force and the blocking temperature are obtained both for ordered and randomly oriented assemblies of uniaxial particles. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI:

10.1063/1.3173280]“
“Introduction Osteoporosis is a common condition, especially affecting the older female population. The ability to predict loss of lumbar height using simple anatomical measurements would be a useful tool.

Methods Forty subjects were recruited. Mean age was 72 years. Arm span (AS) and the costo-iliac distance (CID) were measured. The CID/AS ratio

was calculated. The L-1-L-4 vertebral height of each patient was obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

Results There was a statistically significant correlation between the lumbar height and CID/AS ratio (R-2 = 0.79, p < 0.001).

Conclusion The CID/AS ratio may be a useful bedside test in identifying loss of lumbar vertebral height.”
“After irradiation with 7 and 9 MeV protons, activation-induced effects were encountered in measurements of current-voltage (IV) and capacitance-voltage (CV) characteristics for Czochralski and float-zone grown silicon particle detectors prepared on printed circuit boards GSK621 supplier with copper electrodes. With the present detector construction, the (30)Si(p, n)(30)P and (63)Cu(p, n)(63)Zn reactions induce dominant interference in such measurements. The daughter nuclides are positron emitters with half-lives AS1842856 solubility dmso of 2.5 and 38.5 min, respectively, and the slowing down of the emitted positrons generates a significantly large concentration of electron-hole pairs in the detector volume increasing

the leakage current level and decreasing the breakdown voltage. The observed time-dependent characteristics were verified by modeling the activation of the detector structure and the resulting leakage current. As a result, the electrical measurements cannot be performed immediately after irradiation due to silicon activation, and, generally, materials becoming easily activated should be avoided in the detector concept. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3168436]“
“Dendritic cells (DCs) are leukocytes specialised in the uptake, processing, and presentation of antigen and fundamental in regulating both innate and adaptive immune functions. They are mainly localised at the interface between body surfaces and the environment, continuously scrutinising incoming antigen for the potential threat it may represent to the organism.

The amino-piperidinyl derivative 6 p displayed a similar dose-response relationship to morphine, but was 3 times more potent.”
“Introduction Selection of an optimal surgical technique for inguinal hernia repair, allowing safe performance CA3 nmr and rapid recovery without long-term complaints, may contribute significantly to the reduction of national health care costs.

Methods An analysis of current literature regarding

surgical techniques, properties of modern meshes, operative complications, recurrence rates, occurrence of chronic pain, and quality of life after different surgical procedures was made. Evidence-based comparisons of suture and mesh techniques of open mesh and laparoscopic mesh repair and of laparoscopic (TAPP) and endoscopic (TEP) operation were made.

Results Recurrence rates after mesh implantation are significantly lower than after suture repair. Recurrence rates after flat open mesh repair are similar to those of laparoscopic techniques, but there is a significantly faster recovery after laparoscopy, and chronic pain is also present less frequently. Both TAPP and TEP are acceptable treatment options, but

there is insufficient evidence to show superiority of one technique over the other. Material-reduced meshes seem to have advantages, at least during the early postoperative period. Besides the properties of the mesh implanted, the surgical technique applied and the skills

of the surgeon SCH 900776 ic50 performing the operation are the most important factors for achieving optimal and cost-efficient results.

Conclusion With regard to recovery and occurrence of chronic pain, TAPP and TEP are superior to open mesh AZD1208 concentration repair in most cases. Greater efforts should be undertaken to make laparoscopic repair easier, safer, and less expensive. If this can be achieved, health care costs could ultimately be reduced.”
“Currently, cryopreservation of oocytes, embryos and ovarian tissue is considered the basis of fertility preservation programs for women with cancer and other diseases who are rendered sterile by gonadotoxic drugs or radiation. Numerous studies have confirmed that autograft of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue can restore ovarian function and fertility. A total of twenty-two live births have been reported but we still have to consider this technique as experimental. The main problem is that the implant undergoes ischemia until neoangiogenesis is restored, resulting in significant follicular loss.

At the moment, there are numerous publications in different medical fields that publish successful experiences with plasma rich in platelets (PRP) in different clinical situations promoting angiogenesis. Thus, we considered the possibility of using it in the field of ovarian autologous transplantation in order to improve the vascularization of the implant and its quality.

Methods and results: The number of circulating OPCs was quantified by FACS analysis in 120 postmenopausal women with or without osteoporosis. learn more OPCs were defined as CD34+/alkaline phosphatase(AP)+ or CD34+/osteocalcin(OCN)+

cells. Participants underwent cardiovascular risk factor assessment, measurement of bone mineral density (BMD), and aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) as a measure of arterial stiffness.

Osteoporotic women had higher aPWV (9.8 +/- 2.8 vs 8.5 +/- 1.9 m/s, p = 0.005) and levels of CD34+/AP+ and CD34+/OCN+ cells than nonosteoporotic controls [1045 n/mL (487-2300) vs 510 n/mL (202-940), p < 0.001; 2415 n/mL (1225-8090) vs 1395 n/mL (207-2220), p < 0.001]. aPWV was associated with log-CD34+/AP+ (r = 0.27, p = 0.003), log-CD34+/OCN+ cells (r = 0.38, RNA Synthesis inhibitor p < 0.001). In stepwise regression analysis CD34+/OCN+ cells, age, systolic blood pressure and heart rate were significant predictors of aPWV (Model R = 0.62, p < 0.001), independent of cardiovascular risk factors, parathyroid hormone levels and osteoporotic status.

Conclusion: In women with postmenopausal osteoporosis an increased availability of circulating osteoprogenitor cells has a detrimental influence on arterial compliance, which may in part explain the association between osteoporosis and arterial stiffening. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Carbon films were

deposited in a filtered cathodic vacuum arc with a bias potential applied to a conducting mesh mounted in the plasma stream between the source and the substrate. We determined the stress and microstructural properties of the resulting carbon films and compared the results with those obtained using direct substrate

bias with no mesh. Since the relationship between deposition energy and the stress, sp(2) fraction and density of carbon are well known, measuring these beta-catenin phosphorylation film properties enabled us to investigate the effect of the mesh on the energy and composition of the depositing flux. When a mesh was used, the film stress showed a monotonic decrease for negative mesh bias voltages greater than 400V, even though the floating potential of the substrate did not vary. We explain this result by the neutralization of some ions when they are near to or passing through the negatively biased mesh. The microstructure of the films showed a change from amorphous to glassy carbonlike with increasing bias. Potential applications for this method include the deposition of carbon films with controlled stress on low conductivity substrates to form rectifying or ohmic contacts. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3562165]“
“Regenerative medicine for complex tissues like limbs will require the provision or activation of precursors for different cell types, in the correct number, and with the appropriate instructions.

Plants were harvested 50 days after sowing and evaluated for nutrient uptake, the number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of shoot per plant and yield of major compounds in the essential oil. Accessions AMES 18596 and PI 171592 presented the following order of accumulation TPX-0005 molecular weight of macronutrients: K > N > Ca > Mg > P > S. For the accessions AMES 4998, PI 193770 and the cultivar Santo, the order K >

N > Ca > P > Mg > S was observed. Micronutrients accumulation in cilantro shoot in descending order for all genotypes was: Fe > Zn > B > Mn > Cu. The highest number of leaves per plant was found in the accession AMES 18596 (9.94), while the others produced on average 7.24. Accessions AMES 18596 and PI 193770 produced 7.34g plant(-1) of fresh weight of shoots. Accession PI 171592 produced slightly higher yields (6.23 g plant(-1)) than the cultivar Santo and AMES 4998 (4.75 g plant(-1)). For dry weight of shoots, accessions AMES 18596 and PI 193770 produced the highest yields (0.58 g plant(-1)), followed by PI 171592 (0.47 g plant(-1))

and the accession AMES 4998 and the cultivar Santo that had on average 0.35 g plant(-1). The yield of the major compounds in the essential VEGFR inhibitor oil was higher for accessions AMES 18596 and PI 193770 (88.84 mu g plant(-1)) following by AMES 4998 and Santo (38.95 mu g plant(-1)) and PI 171592 (23.31 mu g plant(-1)). On average the yield of aliphatic aldehydes in fresh weight followed the order: trans-2-dodecenal > decanal > trans-2-decenal > tetradecenal > dodecanal > tetradecanal. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.”
“P>We report the case of a 53-year-old female patient with refractory acute myeloid leukemia developing a necrotic, soft tissue abscess on

the right forearm caused by Scedosporium apiospermum during prolonged severe neutropenia (absolute white blood cell count < 500/mu L for 49 days). In the context of the severely Bcl-xL protein immunocompromised state of the patient and her need for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), surgical treatment options were not favored. Therefore, combined antifungal therapy with voriconazole and caspofungin was started, based on the results of the in vitro testing (minimum inhibitory concentrations of voriconazole, posaconazole, and amphotericin B: 1, 4, and > 2 mg/L, respectively). The local site of infection slowly improved clinically and no spread of S. apiospermum infection to other sites was observed. After HSCT, the soft tissue abscess resolved completely and the patient has remained free of S. apiospermum infection since then. We successfully demonstrate that the use of combined antifungal therapy with voriconazole and casopfungin may further improve the clinical course and provides a promising therapeutic option to treat Scedosporium infections in such patients.

The optical losses in both platforms are measured and used to predict their performance for different lengths. The results show that for an optimal waveguide length, two orders of magnitude

enhancement in the Selleck RG 7112 Raman signal can be achieved for aqueous solutions using HCPCFs. This length, however, cannot be achieved using normal capillary effects. By integrating the interface of the fluidic pump and the HCPCF into a microfluidic chip, we are able to control fluid transport and fill longer lengths of HCPCFs regardless of the viscosity of the sample. The long-term stability and reproducibility of Raman spectra attained through this platform are demonstrated for naphthalenethiol, which is a well-studied organic compound. Using the HCPCF platform, the detection limit of normal Raman scattering in the range of micro-molars has been achieved. In addition to the higher

signal-to-noise ratio of the Raman signal from the HCPCF-platform, selleck kinase inhibitor more Raman modes of naphthalenethiol are revealed using this platform. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3592961]“
“Background: Citrate is one of the most important inhibitors in urolithiasis. Hypocitraturia is a common risk factor in stone formers. Citrate excretion is regulated – amongst others – by acidosis and protein intake. A considerable number of stone formers, however, show hypocitraturia in the presence of normal urine pH levels. This is potentially due to defects in the renal tubular citrate carriers

(NaDC 1 and 3) which may be genetically determined. Patients and Methods: 350 consecutive stone formers were examined. Exclusion Fedratinib criteria were urinary tract infection, hypokalemia, and steatorrhea. The following parameters were measured: serum: creatinine, calcium, potassium, and uric acid; urine: pH profiles, citrate, calcium, uric acid, ammonia, urea, and creatinine. Results: 83/350 patients were hypocitraturic (48 males, 35 females). 14/83 had low urine pH (<= 6), 69/83 showed normal levels (1 6). In the latter group there was a significantly higher recurrence rate (23 vs. 9%). The two groups were not different in serum parameters apart from uric acid. In urine, only pH and calcium (males) were significantly lower in the first group. Citrate did not correlate with urine pH and creatinine in the hypocitraturia-normal pH group, only with calcium in both sexes and urea and ammonia in females. In the hypocitraturia-low pH patients, there was no significant correlation between citrate and any other parameter tested. Conclusions: Hypocitraturia with normal urine pH is an entity indicating a high risk for recurrence. Since there was no correlation between citrate and pH, urea and ammonia, respectively, citrate excretion is not regulated in these patients as usual. There may be a link to calcium excretion. Potentially, these patients have defects in the renal tubular citrate carriers which may be genetically determined.

Therefore, alterations in functional connectivity in the default mode network might play a role in the progression of AD. (C) RSNA, 2010″
“An elaborately designed bilayer consisting of superconducting YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7-delta) (YBCO) and ferromagnetic La(0.67)Sr(0.33)MnO(3-delta) (LSMO) was prepared on a single crystal LaAlO(3) substrate by pulsed laser deposition (PLD), with a view to understanding the mechanism behind the influence of superconductor/ferromagnet proximity on the critical current density, J(c). The present bilayer system shows significant

modifications in Jc, as evidenced Tubastatin A by the suppressed decay of its temperature dependence, as well as the crossing behavior of the magnetic field dependence of Jc at high temperatures. This indicates that enhanced flux pinning emerges at high temperatures, and it is believed to arise MNK inhibitor from the special magnetic inhomogeneity, i.e., the ferromagnet/antiferromagnet clusters caused by phase separation due to the epitaxial stress between LSMO and the substrate. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3573491]“
“After spinning by adding hexamethylenetetramine and the curing treatment, carbon fibers from liquefied wood (LWCFs) were prepared by direct carbonization. Microstructure

change of LWCFs during carbonization is studied by X-ray, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR. Raman spectroscopy shows both the D peak at 1360 cm(-1) and the G peak at 1595 cm(-1) exist after 600 degrees C, and a significant decrease is found in I-D/I-G during carbonization. X-ray diffraction shows the crystallite size (L-c(002) and L-a(100)) of LWCFs firstly decreases before 800 degrees C and then increases

with heat treatment temperature (HTT) increasing, whereas the interlayer spacing (d(002)) gradually decreases during carbonization. It is also found that the crystallite shape (L-a/L-c) and the degree of graphitization (G) all increase with increasing HTT. It is also found that structure of the precursor fibers from liquefied wood has been completely changed after carbonization. (C) 2011 Wiley AZD9291 Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 3525-3530, 2011″
“Purpose: To develop a method that combines parallel imaging and compressed sensing to enable faster and/or higher spatial resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and show its feasibility in a pediatric clinical setting.

Materials and Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained for this HIPAA-compliant study, and informed consent or assent was given by subjects. A pseudorandom k-space undersampling pattern was incorporated into a three-dimensional (3D) gradient-echo sequence; aliasing then has an incoherent noiselike pattern rather than the usual coherent fold-over wrapping pattern.

Elevated levels of stress have been associated with relapse to cocaine; however, the nature of this association is not well understood.

Methods: selleckchem The relationship between reactivity to three human laboratory provocations and relapse to cocaine was investigated. Participants were 53 cocaine-dependent individuals who were admitted for a 2-day inpatient stay during which a psychosocial provocation (i.e., the Trier Social Stress Task), a pharmacological provocation (i.e., administration of 1 mu g/kg corticotrophin releasing hormone; CRH), and a drug cue exposure paradigm were completed. Adrenocortico-trophic hormone

(ACTH), cortisol, heart rate, and subjective cocaine craving and stress were assessed at baseline and at multiple time points post-task. Participants’ cocaine use was monitored for approximately I month following testing.

Results: The majority (72.3%) of participants relapsed to cocaine during the follow-up period. in response to the CRH and drug cue exposure, elevated subjective craving and stress were significant predictors of cocaine use during follow-up. In response to the Trier, attenuated neuroendocrine responses were significant predictors

of cocaine use.

Conclusions: The findings provide further evidence of the ability of laboratory paradigms to predict relapse. The observed associations between stress reactivity and subsequent cocaine use highlight the clinical importance of the findings. Predictors

of relapse may vary based on the type of provocation utilized. Interventions aimed at normalizing stress response, as measured using laboratory paradigms, Cyclosporin A may prove useful in relapse prevention. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.”
“Background: Spinal anesthesia has been associated with lower postoperative rates of deep-vein thrombosis, a shorter operative time, and less blood loss when compared with general anesthesia. The purpose selleck compound of the present study was to identify differences in thirty-day perioperative morbidity and mortality between anesthesia choices among patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database was searched to identify patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty between 2005 and 2010. Complications that occurred within thirty days after the procedure in patients who had been managed with either general or spinal anesthesia were identified. Patient characteristics, thirty-day complication rates, and mortality were compared. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of thirty-day morbidity, and stratified propensity scores were used to adjust for selection bias.

Results: The database search identified 14,052 cases of primary total knee arthroplasty; 6030 (42.9%) were performed with the patient under spinal anesthesia and 8022 (57.1%) were performed with the patient under general anesthesia.

4; 95% confidence interval, 104.9-199.8). In contrast, Cx26 immunoreactivity was less than 5% or entirely absent in all melanocytic tumors

(n = 34). The significantly higher Cx43 staining in MM when compared with nevi suggests an oncogenic role for this protein in melanocytic tumor progression. Consequently, the evaluation AZD9291 in vitro of immunohistochemical staining for Cx43 in conjunction with other ancillary stains and tumor histology may be helpful in distinguishing MM from nevi, although positive Cx26 reactivity suggests that a cutaneous neoplasm is of nonmelanocytic origin.”
“The larvicidal potential of several dopamine 1-phenylisoquinoline derivatives against Culex quinquefasciatus third instar larvae was investigated in a rational search for insecticides. The results showed that these isoquinolines presented moderate larvicidal activity, that Wnt pathway the presence of a substituent is needed on carbon 1 for such activity to be presented and that it may be possible to develop novel insecticidal compounds having potential use in controlling insects by appropriate structural modification of 1-phenylisoquinolines. This article presents a possible structure-larvicidal activity relationship for isoquinolinic compounds.”
“Background: Clinical profile and predictors of major adverse events (MAE)

associated with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) have not been characterized.

Methods and Results: A retrospective review and analysis of clinical data of 182 patients with PPCM. Forty-six patients had >= 1 MAE, including death (13), heart transplantation (11), temporary

circulatory support (4), cardiopulmonary arrest (6), fulminant Pulmonary edema (17), thromboembolic complications (4) and defibrillator or pacemaker implantation (10). Diagnosis of PPCM was delayed >= 1 week in 48% of patients with MAE that preceded the diagnosis in 50% of these patients. Seven (32%) of the Surviving patients who had MAE and did not undergo heart transplantation had residual brain damage. Significant predictors of MAE were: left ventricular ejection fraction <= WZB117 order 25% (HR 4.20, CI 2.04-8.64) and non-Caucasian background(HR 2.16, CI 1.17-3.97). These predictors in addition to diagnosis delay (HR 5.51, CI 1.21-25.04) were also associated with death or heart transplantation.

Conclusions: 1. PPCM may be associated with mortality or severe and lasting morbidity. 2. Incidence of MAE is higher in non-Caucasians and in women with left ventricular ejection fraction <= 25%. 3. Diagnosis of PPCM is often delayed and preceded by MAE. 4. Increased awareness of PPCM is required for early diagnosis and aggressive therapy in an attempt to prevent complications. (J Cardiac Fail 2009;15:645-650)”
“Follicular counts from transverse sectioning of scalp biopsies have not been statistically scrutinized across disease entities in a standardized fashion. We applied uniform histological criteria and strict statistical measures to compare nonscarring and scarring alopecia.

“
“Background Units of available botulinum toxin preparations are not interchangeable, and the dose-conversion ratios between such preparations remain controversial. Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of four botulinum toxin type A preparations. Materials and Methods Murine gastrocnemius compound HDAC inhibitor drugs muscle action potentials (CMAPs) were recorded before and after injecting the four botulinum toxin preparations (onabotulinumtoxinA, abobotulinumtoxinA, new botulinum

toxin, and incobotulinumtoxinA). Results In all preparations, CMAP amplitudes decreased until 4days after receiving the injection and then gradually recovered. On postinjection day 84, the amplitudes returned to baseline in all groups except the high-dose groups. CMAP amplitude in the contralateral limb also decreased up to postinjection days 4 to 7 and then gradually returned to baseline PF-562271 ic50 by postinjection day 28. Conclusion The dose-conversion ratio between onabotulinumtoxinA and abobotulinumtoxinA was determined to be 1:2.6; previous reports of 1:3 were considered too high. A dose-conversion ratio between onabotulinumtoxinA and new botulinum toxin of 1:1 was deemed appropriate. OnabotulinumtoxinA and incobotulinumtoxinA demonstrated a

dose-conversion ratio of 1:1.07. The efficacy of incobotulinumtoxinA was slightly lower than that of onabotulinumtoxinA. These dose-conversion ratios are applicable solely from an efficacy standpoint and not for safety. This study was conducted in mice, so it may not translate perfectly to human applications.”
“Contact configuration modification at carbon nanotube (CNT)-metal interface during nanowelding is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. It is found that the nanowelding could be accomplished at a temperature much lower than the melting point of the metal, during which a side contact structure and core filling nanowires form at the CNT-metal interface. Metal atoms prefer entering

into the core to moving along the outer surface of the CNTs. Also, the filling of the metal atoms into the CNT can enhance the local melting of the metal at Selleckchem VX-680 the interface, which would facilitate the metal atoms wetting on the outer walls and dramatically increasing the contact length.”
“Macrophages form one of the first lines of defense on mucosal surfaces like urinary tract, providing protection against pathogens. These cells pour their secretory products, which include a cocktail of biomolecules, at the site of infection. In the present investigation, the effect of macrophage secretory products (MSPs) obtained after interaction of macrophages with Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the virulence of this organism in planktonic and biofilm cell mode was assessed employing a mouse model of ascending pyelonephritis. When urinary tract infection (UTI) was established with P. aeruginosa grown in the presence of 30% MSPs, the extent of pyelonephritis was enhanced.