Histopathological study of the pancreas G418 in vitro showed the protective role of polyphenolic extract.\n\nInterpretation & conclusions: Our study showed the antioxidant of effect polyphenolic extract of I frutescens in STZ induced experimental diabetes. The

results also suggested that this polyphenolic rich extract could be potentially useful for hyperglycaemia treatment to correct the diabetic state.”
“Great progress has been made in understanding the genetic architecture of phenotypic variation, but it is almost entirely focused on how the genotype of an individual affects the phenotype of that same individual. However, in many species the genotype of the mother is a major determinant of the phenotype of her offspring. Therefore, a complete picture of genetic architecture must include these maternal genetic effects, but they can be difficult to identify because maternal and offspring genotypes are correlated and therefore, partially confounded. We present a conceptual framework that overcomes this challenge to separate direct and maternal effects in intact families through an analysis that we call “statistical cross-fostering.” Our approach combines genotype data from mothers and their offspring to remove the confounding effects of the offspring’s

own genotype on measures of maternal genetic effects. We formalize our approach in an orthogonal model and apply this model to an experimental population of mice. We identify a set of six maternal genetic effect loci that explain a substantial portion of variation in body size at all ages. This variation would be missed in an approach focused solely on direct genetic effects, but is clearly a major component of genetic architecture.

A-1331852 clinical trial Our approach can easily be adapted to examine maternal effects in different systems, and because it does not require experimental manipulation, it provides a framework that can be used to understand ACY-738 molecular weight the contribution of maternal genetic effects in both natural and experimental populations.”
“Some studies suggest a higher risk of hypertension in people with epilepsy. Captopril, a potent and selective angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, is a well known antihypertensive drug. Besides the peripheral renin-angiotensin system (RAS), ACE inhibitors are also suggested to affect the brain RAS which might participate in the regulation of seizure susceptibility. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of captopril on the protective action of numerous antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine [CBZ], phenytoin [PHT], valproate [VPA], phenobarbital [PB], oxcarbazepine [OXC], lamotrigine [LTG] and topiramate [TPM]) against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. This study was accompanied by an evaluation of adverse effects of combined treatment with captopril and antiepileptic drugs in the passive avoidance task and chimney test. Captopril (25 and 50 mg/kg i.p.) did not influence the threshold for electroconvulsions.

Here, we determined that TGF-beta 1 bound cell surface hyaluronidase Hyal-2 on microvilli in type II TGF-beta receptor-deficient HCT116 cells, as determined by immunoelectron microscopy. This binding resulted in recruitment of proapoptotic WOX1 ( also named WWOX or FOR) and formation of Hyal-2 center dot WOX1 complexes for relocation to the nuclei. TGF-beta 1 strengthened the binding of the catalytic domain of Hyal-2 with the N-terminal Tyr-33-phosphorylated WW domain of WOX1, as determined by time lapse fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis in live cells, co-immunoprecipitation, and yeast two-hybrid

domain/domain mapping. In promoter activation assay, ectopic WOX1 or Hyal-2 alone increased glucose metabolism the promoter activity driven by Smad. In combination, WOX1 and Hyal-2 dramatically enhanced the promoter activation (8-9-fold increases), which subsequently led to cell death (> 95% of promoter-activated cells). TGF-beta 1 supports L929 fibroblast growth. In contrast, transiently overexpressed WOX1 and Hyal-2 sensitized L929 to TGF-beta 1-induced apoptosis. Together, TGF-beta 1 invokes a novel signaling by engaging cell surface Hyal-2 and recruiting WOX1 for regulating the activation of Smad-driven promoter, thereby controlling cell growth and death.”
“Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and W3110 strains, belonging to the family B and K-12, respectively, have been most widely employed for recombinant

protein production. During the excretory production www.selleckchem.com/products/brefeldin-a.html of recombinant proteins by high cell density cultivation (HCDC) of these strains,

other native E. coli proteins were also released. Thus, we analyzed the extracellular proteomes of E. coli BL21 (DE3) and W3110 during HCDC. E. coli BL21 (DE3) released more than twice the amount of protein compared with W3110 during HCDC. A total of 204 protein spots including 83 nonredundant proteins were unambiguously identified by 2-DE and MS. Of these, 32 proteins were conserved in the two strains, while 20 and 33 strain-specific proteins were identified for E. coli BL21 (DE3) and W3110, respectively. More than 70% of identified proteins were found to be of periplasmic origin. The outer membrane proteins, OmpA and OmpF, were most abundant. Two strains showed much different patterns in their released proteins. Also, cell density-dependent variations Brefeldin_A in the released proteins were observed in both strains. These findings summarized as reference proteome maps will be useful for studying protein release in further detail, and provide new strategies for enhanced excretory production of recombinant proteins.”
“We evaluated the characteristics of the gastrointestinal stromal tumors that showed discrepancies between their assessment using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST) and Chois criteria. We also investigated the clinical applicability of Chois criteria to Korean gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients undergoing imatinib therapy.

In contrast, more traditional

dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP), characterized by a high consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole cereals and fish are associated with a reduced risk of MetS. The main characteristics of the MDP include a high consumption of nuts and olive oil, resulting in a relatively fat-rich pattern that provides high amounts of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, bioactive polyphenols and dietary fiber. Strong evidence is accumulating selleck compound to support that a closer conformity with the MDP is inversely associated with the incidence of MetS, cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
“BACKGROUND BMS-754807 order Of various surgical therapies used for the replenishment of melanocytes in recalcitrant and stable vitiligo, suction blister epidermal grafting (SBEG) is one of the simplest and most effective methods.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness and potential

complications of SBEG in the treatment of stable vitiligo through the use of a modified dermis-epidermis separator designed by the authors. MATERIALS AND

METHODS One thousand one hundred people with stable vitiligo unresponsive to other medical treatments were treated with SBEG therapy. The negative pressure generated by the dermis-epidermis separator raised blisters at recipient and donor sites. Repigmentation was assessed 6 months after epidermis transplantation.

RESULTS Complete repigmentation was observed in 227 patients (20.6%), and excellent repigmentation (>50%) was observed in 568 (51.6%)-a success rate of 72.3%. No superficial scarring was observed at the grafted or donor sites, and no serious complications were encountered.

CONCLUSION SBEG is an established, simple, and effective treatment for resistant and stable vitiligo. Patients suffer few complications and are receptive to this type of therapy.”
“Thermal asperity (TA) causes a major problem in data detection process.

Without the TA detection and correction algorithm, the system performance (even with perfect synchronization) can be unacceptable, depending on how severe the TA effect is. selleck kinase inhibitor This paper proposes a new method to suppress the TA effects in perpendicular magnetic recording channels. The TA detection is a threshold-based approach, while the TA correction is done by averaging the readback signal and applying a least-squares fitting technique to estimate the TA signal. Then, the corrected readback signal is obtained by subtracting the TA-affected readback signal by the reconstructed TA signal. Results indicate that the proposed method performs better than the existing one in terms of bit-error rate and is robust to changes in the peak TA amplitude. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.

As the temperature further decreases below similar to 80 K, a crossover to the Mott variable-range-hopping conduction process is observed. Taken together with our previous measurements on rho(T) of ZnO polycrystalline films in the temperature range 2-100 K [Y. L. Huang et al., J. Appl. Phys. 107, 063715 (2010)], this work establishes a quite complete picture of the overall electrical conduction mechanisms in the ZnO material from liquid-helium temperatures up to 500 K. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. ABT 263 [doi: 10.1063/1.3638120]“
“We

aimed to compare the outcomes of native tissue vs. biological graft-augmented repair in the posterior compartment. We hypothesized that the addition of graft would result in superior anatomic and functional outcomes.

A retrospective review of posterior repairs between 2001 and 2008 was performed to compare the anatomic and functional outcomes between native tissue and graft-augmented techniques. Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests were used. Power calculation determined that 32 subjects were needed in each group.

One hundred

twenty-four native tissue and 69 graft-augmented repairs were performed with a median follow-up of 35.8 months (range, 6 to 157 months). Anatomic success was similar for native tissue vs. graft (Bp < -1, 86% vs. 80% and Bp a parts per thousand currency signaEuro parts per thousand 0, 97% Volasertib in vitro vs. 97%; all p > 0.05). Postoperative splinting and incomplete evacuation was greater in the graft group (splinting, 85% vs. 68%; p = 0.04 and incomplete evacuation, 85% vs. 64%; p = 0.03).

Long-term success of posterior repair is high. Graft augmentation does not appear to improve anatomic or functional outcomes.”
“Esophageal carcinoma rarely

metastasizes to brain. In check details our center, among 504 cases of esophageal cancer registered for treatment during a 15-year (1990-2005) period, brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma was detected in only 1 case. An unusual case of esophageal carcinoma that presented with brain metastasis is reported here.”
“A good understanding of the electronic conduction processes through nanocontacts is a crucial step for the implementation of functional nanoelectronic devices. We have studied the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of nanocontacts between single metallic RuO2 nanowires and contacting Au electrodes, which were pre-patterned by simple photolithography. Both the temperature behavior of contact resistance in the low-bias voltage ohmic regime and the I-V curves in the high-bias voltage non-ohmic regime have been investigated. We found that the electronic conduction processes in the wide temperature interval 1-300 K can be well described by the fluctuation-induced tunneling (FIT) conduction theory. Taken together with our previous work [Lin et al.

01), whereas VS and SAS increased significantly (P < 0.01). The aggravation of VS was observed at statistically higher rates in patients with pre-existing instabilities as follows; 25.7% of AAS (P = 0.01), 49.1% of VS (P < 0.01), and 41.2% of SAS (P = 0.06). The aggravation of SAS was also detected in 47.2% of VS and 64.7% of SAS (P < 0.01). Patients with preexisting mutilating changes exhibited the aggravations of VS and SAS in significantly higher incidences (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the cases with development into mutilating changes during the follow-up showed significantly higher tendencies for

the aggravations of these instabilities (P < 0.01).

Conclusion. The incidences of VS and Emricasan price SAS significantly increased during the minimum 5-year follow-up. Prognostic factors of these instabilities were revealed to be the initial radiological findings of VS, SAS, and mutilating changes.”
“The range and extent of neurologic and neurobehavioral

complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in children are under-described. Seventy-eight children with HIV-1 infection (32 females) were assessed for neurologic complications. Forty-six children had abnormal neurology examinations. Thirty-three children had global pyramidal tract signs, 5 had a hemiparesis, 4 had peripheral neuropathy, 18 had visual impairment, and 5 had hearing impairment. Thirty-nine of 63 children over 1 year of age had neurobehavioral problems. Of 24 children with HIV encephalopathy, 74% had severe immunosuppression and 45% QNZ cell line were AMN-107 manufacturer not receiving antiretroviral therapy. Twelve children had prior opportunistic central nervous system infections, and 9 had epilepsy. Diverse neurologic and neurobehavioral deficits are common in children with HIV-1 infection. Children with severe immunosuppression, who were not receiving antiretroviral therapy, were growth impaired and less than 1 year of age, were at greatest risk for developing neurologic complications.”
“Study Design. Laboratory evaluation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) in patients with cervical compressive myelopathy (CCM).

Objective. To study the autonomic functions and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with CCM and compare

the findings after surgery.

Summary of Background Data. ANS dysfunction is well known after traumatic spinal cord injury. There are very few studies of ANS dysfunction in noncompressive myelopathy and there are no studies on compressive myelopathies.

Methods. After excluding patients on cervical traction or with medical comorbidities, 29 adult patients with CCM were evaluated. Conventional autonomic function tests and HRV were studied in these patients. The same tests were done on 29 age-and sex-matched healthy controls. Student t test was used to find the significance of study parameters on continuous scale. Chi-square/Fisher exact test was used to find the significance of study parameters on categorical scale between two groups. Significance was assessed at 5% level.

Comprehensive cost-of-illness studies are needed to address data gaps in the published literature regarding the economic burden of iron overload. Comparative-effectiveness studies that evaluate clinical, economic and patient-reported outcomes would help the medical community to better understand the value of different ICTs.”
“In this study, we investigate how the effect of L-arginine (ARG) and cyclodextrins upon omeprazole (OME) stability and solubility. The effect of the presence of ARG on the apparent stability constants (K(1:1)) of the inclusion complexes formed between OME and each cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin (beta CD), and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (M beta CD) is studied by

phase solubility diagrams and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The interaction 10058-F4 clinical trial of URMC-099 chemical structure OME with those cyclodextrins, in the presence of ARG, is characterized using NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. ARG significantly increases the drug solubility and complex stability, in comparison to inclusion complexes formed in its absence. The effect is more pronounced for the OME:beta CD complex. ARG also contributes to a larger stability of OME when free in aqueous solution. The combination of ARG with cyclodextrins can represent an important tool to develop stable drug formulations.”
“A novel fluorinated epoxy compound,

4,4′-bis(2,3-epoxypropoxy-phenyl)-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (BEF), was synthesized starting from the coupling of phenol with 3′-trifluoromethyl-2,2,2-trifluroacetophenone catalyzed by Lewis acid to yield an intermediate compound, which was

then converted to the fluorinated epoxy by epoxidation with epichlorohydrin. BEF could be thermally cured with organic anhydride or aromatic amine as curing agents to produce thermally cured epoxy resins. Experimental results demonstrated that the thermally cured fluorinated epoxy resins showed Epacadostat good thermal stability with decomposition temperature at 5% weight loss of 342-364 degrees C in nitrogen, high glass transition temperature (T(g)) of 165-171 degrees C (determined by DMA), and outstanding mechanical properties with flexural strengths of 79-119 MPa, flexural moduli of 2085-2130 MPa. The thermally cured fluorinated epoxy resins also exhibited excellent electric insulating properties with volume resistivity of 1.59-9.23 10(16) Omega cm and surface resistivity of 4.81 x 10(15)-7.70 x 10(16) Omega. The dielectric constants at 1 MHz were measured in the range of 3.1-3.4 and the dielectric dissipation factor (tan delta) in the range of 1.38-2.48 x 10(-3). It was found that the fluorinated epoxy resins have improved electric insulating and dielectric properties as well as lower moisture adsorption compared with the corresponding commercial Bisphenol A type epoxy resins. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Fused MRI/CT images from 20 patients were examined and compared. A protocol for fusing images from thin slice MR images and CTs was developed for improved identification and measurement

of tumour volume. Differences in individual GTV values both before and after image fusion were evaluated. The effectiveness of tumour targeting was also assessed by comparing discrepancies in individual and overall GTV values.

Differences in mean GTVs using either CT or MRI selleck screening library alone compared with the mean found through combined CT/MR image fusion showed a difference of 30.5 +/- 4.8% and 14.5 +/- 3.3% respectively. Additionally, the median GTV values from CT- and MR-based imaging were 11.64 +/- 7.8 cm(3) and 11.72 +/- 6.6 cm(3) vs 14.06 +/- 8.0 cm(3). Median GTV from CT-MR fusion was 14.06 +/- 8.0 cm(3). Improved information provided by the fused images enabled us to prescribe KPT-8602 mw more effective dosages, as the fused images gave more accurate information about tumour se due to better delineation of tumour perimeters.

This protocol provides improved visualisation

of spinal tumours and enables better treatment planning. Segmented image fusion was shown to provide significant advantages for planning stereotactic radiosurgery. Fused images provided more precise and accurate data and allowed better targeting of tumours, with improved tumour coverage that resulted in better clinical outcomes.”
“Renal allograft survival has increased tremendously over past decades; this has been mostly attributed to improvements in first-year survival. This report describes the evolution of renal allograft survival in the United States where a total of 252 910 patients received a single-organ kidney transplant between 1989 and 2009. Half-lives were obtained from the Kaplan-Meier and Cox models. Graft half-life for deceased-donor FK228 transplants

was 6.6 years in 1989, increased to 8 years in 1995, then after the year 2000 further increased to 8.8 years by 2005. More significant improvements were made in higher risk transplants like ECD recipients where the half-lives increased from 3 years in 1989 to 6.4 years in 2005. In low-risk populations like living-donor-recipients half-life did not change with 11.4 years in 1989 and 11.9 years in 2005. First-year attrition rates show dramatic improvements across all subgroups; however, attrition rates beyond the first year show only small improvements and are somewhat more evident in black recipients. The significant progress that has occurred over the last two decades in renal transplantation is mostly driven by improvements in short-term graft survival but long-term attrition is slowly improving and could lead to bigger advances in the future.”
“Study Design. A reproducibility study was conducted in preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional (3D) measurements for patients operated for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Objective.

As a result, two alternative bioprocesses were developed to produce anti-tick vaccines based on the rBM86 protein secreted in P. pastoris and by displaying antigenic peptides on the Escherichia coli membrane (BM95-MSP1 a antigen). Vaccine production costs were reduced from US$0.92/dose for the intracellular rBM86 to US$0.72/dose and US$0.56/dose for the secreted rBM86 and BM95-MSP1a, respectively.

(C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Study Design. Behavior, mRNA and immunohistochemical Fer-1 clinical trial assessment of the expression of fractalkine (CX3CL1) and its receptor (CX3CR1) in a rat model of disc herniation by autologous nucleus pulposus (NP) implantation.

Objective. To evaluate the changes in expression of fractalkine and its receptor in the spinal cord and their association with pain behavior in a rat model of disc herniation.

Summary of Background Data. Chemokines have recently been implicated in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. They mediate astrocytic migration and microglial proliferation, which are involved in

the regulation of nociceptive transmission. Fractalkine is a chemokine, which participates in the mechanisms of neuropathic pain as a mediator of neuron-glia selleck chemical interactions.

Methods. Sixty-six rats (NP-treated = 47, sham = 19) were implanted with autologous NP (approximately 3 mg) on the left L5 nerve root, just proximal to the dorsal root ganglion and tested for thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia before surgery and on days 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 after surgery. The changes of expression of fractalkine and its receptor in the spinal

cord were studied using real time PCR and immunohistochemistry.

Results. Rats developed ipsilateral mechanical allodynia at day 1 and bilateral thermal hyperalgesia at day 5 after surgery, and these changes in sensitivity persisted throughout the observation period. The expression of mRNA for fractalkine in the spinal cord ATM/ATR inhibitor clinical trial was increased by day 5 and remained upregulated for the duration of the experiment. The immunostaining for fractalkine increased in neurons and astrocytes and that for the fractalkine receptor increased in microglia in the dorsal horn ipsilateral to the disc herniation.

Conclusion. Our results indicate that autologous implantation of NP induces thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, and leads to an upregulation of fractalkine and its receptor in spinal neurons and glia, implicating fractalkine in association with radicular pain.”
“. Standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis C is pegylated interferon (pegIFN) combined with ribavirin (Rbv). It results in persistent viral eradication and prevents the progression of liver disease and the associated complications in about 50% of treated patients.

Steptoe’s impact on Edwards was twofold. First, Steptoe’s long-held interest in infertility raised this application of IVF higher in Edwards’ priorities. Second, Steptoe offered a long-term partnership, in which oocyte collection without in-vitro maturation was a possibility. The professional criticism generated by their work together encouraged Edwards to pursue a deliberate programme of public education about the issues raised and to challenge and develop professional bioethical thought and discourse about reproduction. (C) 2011,

Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights selleck screening library reserved.”
“Aims: To determine whether cavernous nerve injury (CNI) alters lower urinary tract function, we assessed bladder and urethral function over time in a mouse model of CNI. Methods: Twelve-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: unoperated (UO; n = 6), sham-operated (SO; n = 18), and bilateral CNI (n = 30) group. At 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 days bladder and urethral function were evaluated in these three groups using cystometry (CMG) and leak point pressure (LPP) recording under anesthesia. Results: There was no significant difference in maximum detrusor pressure between groups at all times. Compared with the UO group, bladder compliance,

and capacity in the CNI group were significantly decreased at Days 1, 2, 4 (P < 0.05) and recovered gradually from Day 6 to Day 10. In the SO group, they were decreased at Day 1, however, recovered more rapidly than the CNI group. Non-voiding contractions (NVC) developed in the CNI group at all times. Intercontraction 5-Fluoracil inhibitor interval were significantly decreased in SO and

CNI groups and recovered more rapidly in SO group. In the SO group NVC were observed only at Days 1 and 2. LPP in the CNI group was decreased significantly at Days 1 and 2 (P < 0.05) and rapidly recovered with time compared with the UO and SO groups. Conclusion: In a mouse model of CNI, a transient decrease in bladder compliance, capacity, LPP and increased NVC was observed. These changes gradually recovered from Day 6 after CNI. Our findings suggest that CNI may affect bladder and urethral function, but alterations are reversible. CA3 Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 1038-1043, 2013. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.”
“Cryopreservation and density-gradient washing (DGW) are routinely used in infertility treatment. This study used quantitative immunofluorescence analysis to report how these techniques affect concentrations of the oocyte activation factor, phospholipase C zeta (PLC zeta) in spermatozoa from fertile men. DGW significantly elevated the proportion of spermatozoa in which PLC zeta could be detected (by 25-81%; P < 0.0001). In contrast, in four donors, cryopreservation significantly reduced PLC zeta concentrations (by 20-56%; P < 0.0001).

No annual fluctuation in the frequencies of nesting was observed. As temperature and precipitation were not found to be significantly different between the two years of study in each area, we concluded that climatic stability resulted Selleck ACY-738 in population stability.”
“Background

Medical complications of substance use are a considerable cause of morbidity and the role of the physician in the care of such problems has consistently been demonstrated. Appropriate knowledge and skills are necessary to carry out this role.

Aims To review the literature on training undergraduate medical students in identifying and managing substance misuse and to discuss the implications of this literature for Irish medical education.

Methods A search of the literature was performed using keywords; “”substance-related disorders”, 3-MA PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor “”undergraduate” and “”curriculum”. All abstracts were reviewed and the full text of relevant

abstracts was studied and references reviewed for further articles.

Results Despite an increase in prevalence of the problem of drug and alcohol use in Ireland and the UK, this has not been reflected in undergraduate medical curricula. In the UK, minimal time is devoted to formal teaching of medical undergraduates in the area of substance misuse and many doctors do not have the appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes and confidence to treat patients with such problems. In Ireland, no data has reported formal undergraduate teaching hours in the area of drug and alcohol misuse. Internationally, substance abuse curricula have been developed and implemented in medical schools in the United States and Australia.

Conclusion While substance misuse is increasing in prevalence, this is not reflected in the composition of medical curricula, especially in Ireland. International best practice whereby undergraduate curricula that adequately address substance misuse and related issues are systematically developed and implemented, is recommended for adoption by Irish medical

schools.”
“Background: In the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), lung-protective BMS-754807 ventilation strategies combine the delivery of small tidal volumes (VT) with sufficient positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). However, an optimal approach guiding the setting of PEEP has not been defined. Monitoring volumetric capnography is useful to detect changes in lung aeration. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether volumetric capnography may be a useful method to determine the optimal PEEP in ARDS. Methods: In 8 lung-lavaged piglets, PEEP was reduced from 20 to 4 cm H2O in steps of 4 cm H2O every 10 min followed by full lung recruitment. Volumetric capnography, respiratory mechanics, blood gas analysis, hemodynamic data and whole-lung computed tomography scans were obtained at each PEEP level.