The Lewis base-catalyzed silylation of alcohols--a mechanistic analysis.
Reaction rates for the base-catalyzed silylation of primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols depend strongly on the choice of solvent and catalyst. The reactions are significantly faster in Lewis basic solvents such as dimethylformamide (DMF) compared with those in chloroform or dichloromethane (DCM). In DMF as the solvent, the reaction half-lives for the conversion of structurally similar primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols vary in the ratio 404345:20232:1. The effects of added Lewis base catalysts such as 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) or 4-pyrrolidinopyridine (PPY) are much larger in apolar solvents than in DMF. The presence of an auxiliary base such as triethylamine is required in order to drive the reaction to full conversion.


Effect of synthetic vitamin E-bonded membrane on responsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in hemodialysis patients: a pilot study.
Oxidative stress, a recently identified factor related to the response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), is increased in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to verify whether ESA responsiveness improves if the anti-oxidant vitamin E (Vi-E) is placed on the blood-side layer of a synthetic polysulfone (PS) dialyzer. This 8-month, controlled and open randomized study involved 2 groups of patients on stable ESA therapy undergoing hemodialysis using a PS dialyzer with or without Vi-E treatment. Hemoglobin, albumin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, iron status, parathyroid hormone (PTH), Vi-E (alpha- and gamma-tocopherol levels) and the oxidative stress markers, advanced oxidation protein products, carbonyls and advanced glycation end products were evaluated every 2 months. The primary outcome measure was ESA resistance, the weekly ESA dose divided by the product between hemoglobin level and end-dialysis body weight. Nineteen of the 20 randomized patients completed the study. During the follow-up, the ESA resistance significantly decreased (p = 0.024), greater in the Vi-E group (37%) than in the PS group (20%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.596). Baseline PTH and Vi-E levels were associated with ESA resistance. In the secondary analysis, including these covariates in the model, the difference between groups in ESA resistance became significant (p = 0.042). Vi-E placed on the blood-side of a dialyzer may have a possible beneficial effect on ESA resistance in hemodialysis patients; baseline PTH levels seem to predict ESA resistance and were useful in showing the possible beneficial effect of Vi-E and should be considered in designing adequate-sized trials for testing this hypothesis.


Does the nuclear envelope contain two types of ligand-gated Ca2+ release channels?
The nuclear envelope is composed of two membranes deliminating a perinuclear space which displays functional properties similar to those of a Ca2+-storing compartment. ATP-driven Ca2+ uptake and InsP3-induced Ca2+ release processes have been described in isolated nuclei. Recently, it was reported that cADP-ribose and InsP3 can trigger a nucleoplasmic Ca2+ increase. It was hypothesized that the inner nuclear membrane possesses Ca2+ channels that are regulated by ryanodine or InsP3. Radio-ligand binding assays and Western blot experiments were performed in order to investigate their presence in sheep cardiac and rat liver nuclear envelopes. Ryanodine receptors (RyR) were not detected in liver nuclear envelopes by either binding assay or Western blot analysis. However, cardiac nuclear envelopes were found to retain a very low level of specific ryanodine binding, which was not detected on immuno-blots obtained with three types of isoform-specific RyR antibodies. In contrast, nuclear InsP3-binding sites were consistently detected in both cardiac and liver nuclear envelopes. Altogether, these results provide evidence for the major contributor InsP3-gated Ca2+ channels in control of Ca2+ release from the perinuclear space in liver and cardiac cells.


Influence of the chelate effect on the electronic structure of one-electron oxidized group 10 metal(II)-(disalicylidene)diamine complexes.
The neutral and one-electron oxidized group 10 metal, Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II), six-membered chelate Salpn (Salpn = N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine) complexes have been investigated and compared to the five-membered chelate Salen (N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-ethanediamine) and Salcn (N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-diamine) complexes. Reaction of the Salpn complexes with 1 equivalent of AgSbF(6) affords the oxidized complexes which exist as ligand radical species in solution and in the solid state. The solid state structures of the oxidized complexes have been determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. While the Ni and Pt analogues exhibit an essentially symmetric coordination sphere contraction upon oxidation, the oxidized Pd derivative exhibits an asymmetric metal binding environment demonstrating at least partial ligand radical localization. In comparison to the oxidized Salen and Salcn complexes, the propyl backbone of the Salpn complexes leads to a larger deviation from a planar geometry in the solid state. The electronic structure of the oxidized Salpn complexes was further probed by UV-vis-NIR measurements, electrochemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. The intense NIR band for the one-electron oxidized Salpn complexes shifts to lower energy in comparison to the 5-membered chelate analogues, which is attributed to lower metal d(xz) character in the β-LUMO for the Salpn series. The reactivity of the one-electron oxidized Salpn complexes with exogenous ligands was also studied. In the presence of pyridine, the oxidized Ni analogue exhibits a shift in the locus of oxidation to a Ni(III) species. The oxidized PtSalpn complex rapidly decomposes in the presence of pyridine, even at low temperature. Interestingly, electronic and EPR spectroscopy suggests that the addition of pyridine to the oxidized Pd analogue results in initial dissociation of the phenoxyl radical ligand, likely due to the increased flexibility of the propyl backbone.


Sequencing of plasmids pAMBL1 and pAMBL2 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveals a blaVIM-1 amplification causing high-level carbapenem resistance.
Carbapenemases are a major concern for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Although plasmids are responsible for the spread of resistance genes among these pathogens, there is limited information on the nature of the mobile genetic elements carrying carbapenemases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We combined data from two different next-generation sequencing platforms, Illumina HiSeq2000 and PacBio RSII, to obtain the complete nucleotide sequences of two blaVIM-1-carrying plasmids (pAMBL1 and pAMBL2) isolated from P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. Plasmid pAMBL1 has 26 440 bp and carries a RepA_C family replication protein. pAMBL1 is similar to plasmids pNOR-2000 and pKLC102 from P. aeruginosa and pAX22 from Achromobacter xylosoxidans, which also carry VIM-type carbapenemases. pAMBL2 is a 24 133 bp plasmid with a replication protein that belongs to the Rep_3 family. It shows a high degree of homology with a fragment of the blaVIM-1-bearing plasmid pPC9 from Pseudomonas putida. Plasmid pAMBL2 carries three copies of the blaVIM-1 cassette in an In70 class 1 integron conferring, unlike pAMBL1, high-level resistance to carbapenems. We present two new plasmids coding for VIM-1 carbapenemase from P. aeruginosa and report that the presence of three copies of blaVIM-1 in pAMBL2 produces high-level resistance to carbapenems.


Confocal microscopic detection of human immunodeficiency virus RNA-producing cells.
A central anomaly in the pathogenesis of AIDS is that few actively infected CD4+ cells (1 in 10(4)-10(5) have been detected in the peripheral blood, even though dramatic depletion (often greater than 90%) of CD4+ cells is the hallmark of disease progression. A sensitive, 35S-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA in situ hybridization technique was coupled with a new detection method, confocal laser scanning microscopy, to examine transcriptionally active HIV-infected cells from individuals at different disease stages. In 35 symptomatic HIV-infected individuals (AIDS and AIDS related complex), an average of 1 in 350 mononuclear cells produced HIV RNA. In contrast, in an asymptomatic group of 30 individuals, an average of 1 in 2000 mononuclear cells produced HIV RNA. These data, obtained using this improved detection method, suggest there are more HIV RNA-producing cells in HIV-infected individuals than previously reported. In addition, increased numbers of HIV transcribing cells were found to correlate with declining clinical condition as assessed by Karnofsky performance score. These data suggest that viremia per se may account for the pathologic consequences in HIV infection.


Church-based social support and suicidality among African Americans and Black Caribbeans.
This study explores the relationship between church-based informal social support and lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation and attempts within a representative national sample of African American and Black Caribbean adults. Characteristics of church-based social support networks, as well as emotional support and negative interaction with church members were examined in relation to lifetime suicide ideation and attempts. This study used data from the National Survey of American Life (2001-2003). Frequency of interaction with church members was positively associated with suicide attempts, while subjective closeness to church members was negatively associated with suicide ideation. Emotional support, service attendance, and negative interaction with church members were unrelated to both suicide ideation and attempts. Findings are discussed in relation to research on church-based support networks, different models linking church support and suicidality, and the mechanisms by which church-based networks deter suicide ideation and attempts.


The dendritic tree: a mathematical integrator.
Neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) are sensitive to simple features of the visual scene such as contrast, spatial frequency or orientations. In higher mammals, they are organized into columns of orientation-preference, whereas such organization is absent in rodents. However, in both types of organization, neurons can be highly selective or poorly selective for a particular stimulus. In mouse V1, it has been shown that all stimuli are represented on the dendritic tree of single neurons. To what extent this concept is applicable in higher mammals? In this review, we discuss possible models of integrating visual information from visual cortical neurons. In particular, how the modulation of the number of inputs and/or the frequency firing can explain the orientation selectivity in V1. Based on our findings and literature, we propose three different hypotheses namely the spatial summation, the temporal summation and the excitation-inhibition. In addition, we discuss the possible interactions between excitatory pyramidal neurons and inhibitory interneurons during stimulus processing.


Disease-causing mutations in the human genome.
A considerable number of gene mutations has now been reported in a total of more than 1000 different human genes. Data on these mutations and their associated phenotypes have been collated and are available online through two major databases: Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man in Baltimore and the Human Gene Mutation Database in Cardiff. Since the non-randomness of mutation is determined largely by the local DNA sequence environment, the study of mutation may not only yield information on underlying mechanisms but also lead to the optimization of mutation search strategies. There is a high frequency of CG to TG or CA mutations in the human genome due to deamination of 5' methyl-cytosine. The second most common type of mutations in human disorders is short deletions or insertions of less than 20 nucleotides.


Ligature mark on the face - forensic implications.
In deaths due to hanging and strangulation, the position, course and direction of the ligature mark, the kind of knot used and injuries to the neck structures help in deducing the cause and manner of death. Two cases of suicidal hanging are reported where the unusual positioning of ligature and presence of the ligature mark on the face raise doubts concerning the circumstances of death. The presence of a ligature mark on the face is an unusual and rarely reported phenomenon that can have serious medico-legal implications.


Cervical radiculopathy.
Cervical radiculopathy is a disorder involving dysfunction of cervical nerve roots that commonly manifests as pain radiating from the neck into the distribution of the affected root. Acute cervical radiculopathy generally has a self-limited clinical course, with up to a 75% rate of spontaneous improvement. Thus, nonsurgical treatment is the appropriate initial approach for most patients. When nonsurgical treatment fails to relieve symptoms or if a significant neurologic deficit exists, surgical decompression may be necessary. Surgical outcomes for relief of arm pain range from 80% to 90% with either anterior or posterior approaches.


Synovial sarcoma in an Ayrshire heifer.
An 8-month-old Ayrshire heifer had a rapidly growing mass in the axillary region of the left thoracic limb. The mass surrounded the distal humerus and entrapped nerves of the brachial plexus, causing an abnormal gait. Histologically, the mass was composed of clusters and cords of round to polygonal cells with scattered, spindle-shaped cells. The neoplastic cells stained positively for vimentin and cytokeratin. No staining was found with S-100 protein, kappa and lambda light chains, or T-cell markers by immunohistochemistry. On electron microscopic evaluation, the cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells contained few organelles, principally rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. This synovial sarcoma has histologic and ultrastructural features characteristic of the poorly differentiated subtype of synovial sarcoma in the human classification system.


Oral immunisation against classical swine fever (CSF): onset and duration of immunity.
In an experimental study, onset and duration of immunity after oral immunisation of pigs with a classical swine fever (CSF) live virus vaccine based on the strain "C" has been evaluated. Sixteen weaner piglets (group 1) were orally instilled by syringe with the content of one vaccine bait whereas eighteen piglets (group 2) were fed with one bait. Six unvaccinated piglets represented the control group (group 3). The pigs having 2, 4, 6 and 10 days post vaccination (p.v.) were challenged with the highly virulent CSF virus (CSFV) strain "Koslov" to detect onset of immunity. After oral instillation of vaccine (group 1) the pigs were protected from a clinical infection 4 days p.v. One of four piglets reacted for a short time with an increase of body temperature. In group 2, a partial protection was already detected on day 2 p.v. On day 10 p.v., all animals were resistant to an experimental challenge infection. No protective neutralising antibodies were elicited until day 10 p.v. in both groups. Three animals of each group vaccinated orally against CSF were challenged approximately 6 and 10 months p.v. to evaluate duration of immunity. All vaccinated pigs developed neutralising antibodies and showed a protective immunity against an infection with CSFV until 10 months p.v. Furthermore, no vaccinated animal developed a viraemia after challenge. Altogether, 5 of 34 vaccinated pigs as well as all controls died after infection and showed typical gross lesions for CSF. The tonsils of the surviving pigs were negative for viral antigen by immunofluorescence.


[Effect of Rapamycin on CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells in allo-transplantation tolerance model].
To study the effect of Rapamycin(Rapa) on CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells in allo-transplantation tolerance model. The model of skin allo-transplantation was established. The recipient BALB/c mice were injected with allogeneic donor spleen cells from B6 on the day before grafting and with cyclosporine(CsA) after transplantation. T cells were purified on the day 14 from the tolerant group and cultured with Rapa and/or IL-2 in different concentrations in vitro. Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was used to analyze the specific recall reaction of T cells. Percentages of CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells were examined by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of Foxp3 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR, and the level of IL-10 in supernatant of T cells cultured in vitro was determined by ELISA. BALB/c-SCID mice underwent allo-transplantation were given adoptive transfer of T cells treated with Rapa and/or IL-2, then the survival conditions of the grafted skin were observed daily. CsA plus donor splenocyte injection can prolong allograft of BALB/c significantly (P<0.05). The number of CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells and the expression of Foxp3 mRNA for T cell in the tolerant group treated with Rapa and/or IL-2 were obviously increased. Adoptive transfusion of T cells from tolerant mice treated with IL-2/Rapa obviously prolonged the allograft survival time in allografted-SCID mice. Rapa can increase the ratio of CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells in vitro and prolong the graft survival time obviously after adoptive immunity, and these effects are enhanced by low-dose of IL-2.


Thermodesulfatator atlanticus sp. nov., a thermophilic, chemolithoautotrophic, sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from a Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vent.
A novel, strictly anaerobic, thermophilic, sulfate-reducing bacterium, designated strain AT1325(T), was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent at the Rainbow site on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This strain was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Cells were Gram-negative motile rods (approximately 2.4 x 0.6 microm) with a single polar flagellum. Strain AT1325(T) grew at 55-75 degrees C (optimum, 65-70 degrees C), at pH 5.5-8.0 (optimum, 6.5-7.5) and in the presence of 1.5-4.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.5 %). Cells grew chemolithoautotrophically with H2 as an energy source and SO4(2-) as an electron acceptor. Alternatively, the novel isolate was able to use methylamine, peptone or yeast extract as carbon sources. The dominant fatty acids (>5 % of the total) were C(16 : 0), C(18 : 1)omega7c, C(18 : 0) and C(19 : 0) cyclo omega8c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain AT1325(T) was 45.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain AT1325(T) within the family Thermodesulfobacteriaceae, in the bacterial domain. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain AT1325(T) belonged to the genus Thermodesulfatator, sharing 97.8 % similarity with the type strain of Thermodesulfatator indicus, the unique representative species of this genus. On the basis of the data presented, it is suggested that strain AT1325(T) represents a novel species of the genus Thermodesulfatator, for which the name Thermodesulfatator atlanticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AT1325(T) (=DSM 21156(T)=JCM 15391(T)).


Lipid accumulation stimulates the cap-independent translation of SREBP-1a mRNA by promoting hnRNP A1 binding to its 5'-UTR in a cellular model of hepatic steatosis.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic disease characterized by accumulation of lipid droplets in hepatocytes. Enhanced release of non-esterified fatty acids from adipose tissue accounts for a remarkable fraction of accumulated lipids. However, the de novo lipogenesis (DNL) is also implicated in the etiology of the NAFLD. Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein-1 (SREBP-1) is a transcription factor modulating the expression of several lipogenic enzymes. In the present study, in order to investigate the effect of lipid droplet accumulation on DNL, we used a cellular model of steatosis represented by HepG2 cells cultured in a medium supplemented with free oleic and palmitic fatty acids (FFAs). We report that FFA supplementation induces the expression of genes coding for enzymes involved in the DNL as well as for the transcription factor SREBP-1a. The SREBP-1a mRNA translation, dependent on an internal ribosome entry site (IRES), and the SREBP-1a proteolytic cleavage are activated by FFAs. Furthermore, FFA treatment enhances the expression and the nucleus-cytosolic shuttling of hnRNP A1, a trans-activating factor of SREBP-1a IRES. The binding of hnRNP A1 to the SREBP-1a IRES is also increased upon FFA supplementation. The relocation of hnRNP A1 and the consequent increase of SREBP-1a translation are dependent on the p38 MAPK signal pathway, which is activated by FFAs. By RNA interference approach, we demonstrate that hnRNP A1 is implicated in the FFA-induced expression of SREBP-1a and of its target genes as well as in the lipid accumulation in cells.


Postoperative wound infection in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a prospective study with evaluation of risk factors.
Wound infection is an important cause of morbidity and occasional mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The aim of this study was to report postoperative wound infection in CABG surgery patients. Consecutive patients undergoing CABG surgery between January 1998 and October 1999 have been studied. The exclusion criteria included, age less than 30 years, penicillin / cephalosporin allergy and associated other cardiac pathologies. The parameters studied were age, sex, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction, chronic renal failure, previous surgeries, alcohol consumption, smoking, length of pre and postoperative hospital stay, antibiotic prophylaxis, MRSA screening, and duration of surgery. Wounds were classified as per modified CDC's NNIS criteria. Suspected sites of infection were cultured and antibiotic susceptibility of cultured organisms was tested. Postoperative follow up was for two months. Six hundred and fifteen patients were studied. Of these 116 (18.86%) developed SSI, involving sternum 75%, leg 21.3%, and forearm sites 3.44%. Organisms isolated at sternum site were MSSE, MRSA, and MRSE, at leg site E. coli and MSSE, and at forearm site MSSE and MSSA. Sternal site, obesity, diabetes mellitus and female sex were associated with significantly higher infection rates (p= 0.001). No antibiotic protocol proved more effective. SSI increased the postoperative hospital stay and the total treatment cost. Post CABG surgery SSI rate is high. Sternum and leg are the common infection sites. Obesity, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and female sex are associated with higher infection rates. "Higher" antibiotics do not lower postoperative infection rates.


The "boom and bust phenomenon": the hopes, dreams, and broken promises of the contraceptive revolution.
The "boom and bust phenomenon" is a pattern that has emerged in the development, introduction, and delivery of a number of significant new contraceptive products in the United States. When a new contraceptive product is introduced with great promise and publicity, it usually experiences a "boom" during which sales, demand, and expectations are high. This boom is often followed by a "bust" phase during which a product does not live up to expectations, initial excitement falls off, and a drop in sales and use ensues. The boom and bust phenomenon goes to the heart of what some have referred to as the failed promise of the contraception revolution by creating obstacles to significant expansion of contraceptive choice in the United States. Case studies of oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, and Norplant(R) are used to illustrate the boom and bust phenomenon and the effect it has had in shaping the direction of advances in contraceptive technology.


Fighting for child custody when domestic violence is at issue: survey of state laws.
This study presents national data on each state's legislative approach to custody cases involving allegations of domestic violence. Battered women's advocates have successfully lobbied in some states for rebuttable presumption statutes that direct judges to deny sole or joint custody to abusive parents unless they present persuasive evidence establishing their suitability to obtain custody. Other states--at the behest of fathers' rights advocates--have adopted factor tests in which judges consider domestic violence as "one factor" in determining custody. Our findings suggest that each regulatory schema has strengths and weaknesses, but that these approaches have been developed without the benefit of intensive study.


Relation of pace mapping QRS configuration and conduction delay to ventricular tachycardia reentry circuits in human infarct scars.
This study sought to determine the relation of the paced QRS configuration and conduction delay during pace mapping to reentry circuit sites in patients with ventricular tachycardia late after myocardial infarction. The QRS configuration produced by ventricular pacing during sinus rhythm (pace mapping) can locate focal idiopathic ventricular tachycardias during catheter mapping, but postinfarction reentry circuits may be relatively large and contain regions of slow conduction. We hypothesized that for postinfarction ventricular tachycardia, 1) pacing during sinus rhythm at reentry circuit sites distant from the exit from the scar would produce a QRS configuration different from the tachycardia; and 2) a stimulus to QRS delay during pace mapping may be a useful guide to reentry circuit slow conduction zones. Catheter mapping and ablation were performed in 18 consecutive patients with ventricular tachycardia after myocardial infarction. At 85 endocardial sites in 13 patients, 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded during pace mapping, and participation of each site in a reentry circuit was then evaluated by entrainment techniques during induced ventricular tachycardia or by application of radiofrequency current. Pace maps resembled tachycardia at < 30% of likely reentry circuit sites identified by entrainment criteria and at only 1 (9%) of 11 sites where radiofrequency current terminated tachycardia. Analysis of the stimulus to QRS interval during entrainment with concealed fusion showed that the conduction time from the pacing site to the exit from the scar was longer at sites where the pace map did not resemble tachycardia. Evidence of slow conduction during pace mapping, with a stimulus to QRS interval > 40 ms was observed at > or = 70% of reentry circuit sites. At many sites in postinfarction ventricular reentry circuits, the QRS configuration during pace mapping does not resemble the ventricular tachycardia QRS complex, consistent with relatively large reentry circuits or regions of functional conduction block during ventricular tachycardia. A stimulus to QRS delay during pace mapping is consistent with slow conduction and may aid in targeting endocardial sites for further evaluation during tachycardia.


Ovariectomy in aged versus young rats augments matrix metalloproteinase-mediated vasoconstriction in mesenteric arteries.
Ovarian deficiency is known to undermine vasoprotective mechanisms and accelerate cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. In a rat model of menopause (aged ovariectomized [Ovx] rats), we recently revealed a vasoconstrictor pathway mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) via cleavage of big endothelin-1 (ET-1). However, the specific impact of aging and/or Ovx on this pathway remains unknown. We hypothesized that aging exacerbates MMP-mediated vasoconstriction in an ovary-deficient state. Young and aged female Sprague-Dawley rats, either intact or Ovx, were assessed for MMP-dependent vasoreactivity. Dose responses to big ET-1 in the absence or presence of an MMP inhibitor (GM6001) were tested on small mesenteric arteries using a pressure myograph system. MMP levels in the vascular tissue were measured by gelatin zymography. Both young Ovx and aged Ovx animals demonstrated a similar increase in the vasoconstriction to big ET-1 compared with the age-matched intact groups. MMP inhibition attenuated big ET-1 response in both Ovx groups and aged controls, but this effect was more pronounced in aged Ovx arteries (area under the curve reduction, 3.8 +/- 0.6 units in aged Ovx rats vs 1.5 +/- 0.5 units in young Ovx rats or 1.8 +/- 0.6 units in aged intact rats; P < 0.05). MMP-2 activity in the vascular tissue increased with age and was further augmented by Ovx. Regardless of age, ovarian loss increases vascular reactivity to big ET-1, which is mediated, in part, by MMP. Superimposed with advancing age, ovarian deficiency further increases the proconstrictor role of MMP, which corresponds with higher MMP-2 levels in the aging vessel wall. MMP-mediated vasoconstriction may be a mechanism contributing to vascular dysfunction in postmenopausal women.


Crystals of family 11 xylanase II from Trichoderma longibrachiatum that diffract to atomic resolution.
Xylanases catalyse the cleavage of various forms of xylan. A new crystal form of xylanase II from the fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum that diffracts to better than 1 A resolution was grown from 12% PEG 8K, 0.1 M Tris pH 8.5, 0.2 M CaCl(2) with the addition of 2% glycerol to overcome crystal twinning. The crystals grow in a body-centered orthorhombic Bravais lattice, with unit-cell parameters a = 66.78, b = 67.94, c = 79.18 A. The solvent content is 42% with one molecule per asymmetric unit. Molecular-replacement analysis reveals the space group to be I222. This atomic resolution structure will provide important insights that will lead to a better understanding of the enzymatic mechanism of the family 11 xylanases.


An evaluation of normal strial capillary transport using the electron-opaque tracers ferritin and iron dextran.
Enzymatic tracer techniques to study normal and pathologic strial capillary transport pose various problems. The use of electron opaque tracers can circumvent many of these problems. Iron dextran (mol. diam 20--70 A) and ferritin (mol. diam 110 A) were injected intravenously and the mice sacrificed at intervals of 1/2, 1, 2, 5, and 24 h. The iron dextran results were unusual in that from 1/2 to 5 h after administration the tracer was present within the cytoplasmic matrix of endothelia, but by 24 h it had been cleared out. No transendothelial exchange was noted. The ferritin results were in conflict and previous results using horse-radish peroxidase. Transport of ferritin was minimal regardless of time sacrificed. No more than a few molecules were scattered about the capillary basal limina. Those molecules transported across capillaries were apparently delivered by means of the micropinocytotic system. The results suggest a blood-strial barrier similar to the blood-thymic and blood-myenteric barriers. Experimental as well as control animals exhibited strial light cells which contained ferritin-like particles within their cytoplasmic matrices. These light cells are probably reticuloendothelial type cells. Ferritin may be useful to gauge strial capillary transport alterations associated with auditory pathologies.


Postoperative chemotherapy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgery for rectal cancer: is it essential for patients with ypT0-2N0?
The potential advantage of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with ypT0-2N0 rectal cancer remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether this therapy has an impact on survival. Patients who underwent curative surgery after preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced low rectal cancer were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 41 consecutive patients with pathological stage 0 (ypT0N0) or I (ypT1-2N0) were enrolled. Of the 41 patients, 17 (41.5%) received postoperative 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy, while 24 were followed without postoperative therapy. Oncologic outcomes were compared between the two groups. The median follow-up period was 47.6 months. The overall postoperative complication rates did not differ significantly between the patients who received chemotherapy and those who did not (17.6% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.799). The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates for patients who received chemotherapy were 88.9% and 84.7%, which were not significantly different from the rates for those who did not (85.9%; P = 0.644 and 73.4%; P = 0.599, respectively). Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with good responses after preoperative chemoradiation and curative surgery did not significantly improve the survival. However, this should be validated in prospective randomized trials with larger sample sizes.


SMRTER, a Drosophila nuclear receptor coregulator, reveals that EcR-mediated repression is critical for development.
The Drosophila ecdysone receptor (EcR)/ultraspiracle (USP) heterodimer is a key regulator in molting and metamorphoric processes, activating and repressing transcription in a sequence-specific manner. Here, we report the isolation of an EcR-interacting protein, SMRTER, which is structurally divergent but functionally similar to the vertebrate nuclear corepressors SMRT and N-CoR. SMRTER mediates repression by interacting with Sin3A, a repressor known to form a complex with the histone deacetylase Rpd3/HDAC. Importantly, we identify an EcR mutant allele that fails to bind SMRTER and is characterized by developmental defects and lethality. Together, these results reveal a novel nuclear receptor cofactor that exhibits evolutionary conservation in the mechanism to achieve repression and demonstrate the essential role of repression in hormone signaling.


[Extracorporeal lithotripsy in the treatment of common bile duct calculi].
Thirty-three patients with common bile duct stones which could not be extracted by routine endoscopic measures were treated with extracorporeal lithotripsy. Two electrohydraulic lithotripters were used: Dornier HM3 and Technomed Sonolith 3000 using fluoroscopy and ultrasonography, respectively, for stone localisation. Twenty-nine patients were treated with only one session and four patients in two sessions. Fragmentation of stones was obtained in 29 patients (88 p. 100) and complete bile duct clearence in 26 patients (79 p. 100). The fragments passes spontaneously through the papilla in 7 cases; in 19 cases complete removal of fragments was achieved with a Dormia basket (16 cases) or after mechanical lithotripsy (3 cases). There were no significant differences in successful fragmentation rates between the two lithotriters. No serious adverse effects or mortality were observed within the 30 days following treatment. In conclusion, extracorporeal lithotripsy is an effective and safe method for the treatment of bile duct stones when, after sphincterotomy, routine endoscopic measures have failed.


Targeting species D adenoviruses replication to counteract the epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.
Human adenoviruses are non-enveloped DNA viruses causing various infections; their pathogenicity varies dependent on virus species and type. Although acute infections can sometimes take severe courses, they are rarely fatal in immune-competent individuals. Adenoviral conjunctivitis and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis are hyperacute and highly contagious infections of the eye caused by human adenovirus types within species D. Currently there is no causal treatment available to counteract these diseases effectively. The E2B region of the adenovirus genome encodes for the viral DNA polymerase, which is required for adenoviral DNA replication. Here we propose novel model systems to test this viral key factor, DNA polymerase, as a putative target for the development of efficient antiviral therapy based on RNA interference. Using our model cell lines we found that different small interfering RNAs mediate significant suppression (up to 90%) of expression levels of viral DNA polymerase upon transfection. Moreover, permanent expression of short hairpin RNA based on the most effective small interfering RNA led to a highly significant, more than tenfold reduction in replication for different human group D adenoviruses involved in ocular infections.


A new method for correlation analysis of compositional (environmental) data - a worked example.
Most data in environmental sciences and geochemistry are compositional. Already the unit used to report the data (e.g., μg/l, mg/kg, wt%) implies that the analytical results for each element are not free to vary independently of the other measured variables. This is often neglected in statistical analysis, where a simple log-transformation of the single variables is insufficient to put the data into an acceptable geometry. This is also important for bivariate data analysis and for correlation analysis, for which the data need to be appropriately log-ratio transformed. A new approach based on the isometric log-ratio (ilr) transformation, leading to so-called symmetric coordinates, is presented here. Summarizing the correlations in a heat-map gives a powerful tool for bivariate data analysis. Here an application of the new method using a data set from a regional geochemical mapping project based on soil O and C horizon samples is demonstrated. Differences to 'classical' correlation analysis based on log-transformed data are highlighted. The fact that some expected strong positive correlations appear and remain unchanged even following a log-ratio transformation has probably led to the misconception that the special nature of compositional data can be ignored when working with trace elements. The example dataset is employed to demonstrate that using 'classical' correlation analysis and plotting XY diagrams, scatterplots, based on the original or simply log-transformed data can easily lead to severe misinterpretations of the relationships between elements.


Structural Basis of Tonic Inhibition by Dimers of Dimers in Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic-Nucleotide-Modulated (HCN) Ion Channels.
The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide-modulated (HCN) ion channels control rhythmicity in neurons and cardiomyocytes. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) modulates HCN activity through the cAMP-dependent formation of a tetrameric gating ring spanning the intracellular region (IR) of HCN. In the absence of cAMP, the IR cAMP-binding domain (CBD) mainly samples its inactive conformation, resulting in steric clashes that destabilize the IR tetramer. Although these clashes with the inactive CBD are released through tetramer dissociation into monomers, functional mutagenesis suggests that the apo IR is not fully monomeric. To investigate the inhibitory nonmonomeric IR species, we performed molecular dynamics simulations starting from "hybrid" structures that are tetrameric but contain inactive apo-state CBD conformations. The ensemble of simulated trajectories reveals that full dissociation of the tetramer into monomers is not necessary to release the steric hindrance with the inactive CBD. Specifically, we found that partial dissociation of the tetramer into dimers is sufficient to accommodate four inactive CBDs, while reduction of the quaternary symmetry of the nondissociated tetramer from 4- to 2-fold permits accommodation of two inactive CBDs. Our findings not only rationalize available electrophysiological, fluorometry, and sedimentation equilibrium data, but also provide unprecedented structural insight into previously elusive nonmonomeric autoinhibitory HCN species.


Community pharmacists' perceptions of services that benefit older people in New Zealand.
There is limited information in New Zealand about community pharmacists' perceptions of services that benefit older people. To explore the perceptions of community pharmacists' of services that benefit older people; the benefits perceived; and the experiences of pharmacists providing such services. Community pharmacies in New Zealand. A cross-sectional purpose-developed survey was carried out of all community pharmacies in New Zealand. This was followed by twenty qualitative telephone interviews of pharmacists identified as providing at least one specialized service. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded for themes using constant comparison. Community pharmacists' opinions and perceptions in the cross-sectional survey and qualitative interviews. Responses were received from pharmacists in 403/905 evaluable pharmacies. All pharmacies provided some baseline services (advice, dispensing of prescriptions, medicines disposal) and 90% provided home deliveries of medicines. Adherence to medicines was supported by compliance packaging (96%), medication review (Medicines Use Review, MUR) (28%), and repeat prescription reminders (27%). Thirty-five percent provided screening (e.g. cholesterol, blood pressure), and 32% provided medicines education to community groups. Compliance packaging and home delivery were thought the services most beneficial for older people, and should help people adhere to their medicines. The 20 pharmacists interviewed by telephone provided 20 different specialized services (median 2, range 1-4). These included MUR, services to residential homes, visiting educators/special clinics, INR monitoring, services to hospices, and flu vaccination. Benefits perceived included improvements in adherence, patient safety, and patient-knowledge of medicines, and convenient access to services. "Patient need" was a frequent driver of services, and common facilitators for services were having appropriate training/skills, co-operation with health professionals, peer or expert support, sufficient time and funding. A lack of these facilitators were considered barriers as were resistance from general practitioners or the general public, or high set-up costs. Community pharmacists in New Zealand perceived they provide a range of services of potential benefit to older people for managing their medicines. Establishing new services requires cooperation from other health professionals, peer support, training, funding and time. Further research into patients' outcomes from new and established services is needed.


Correlation of imaging techniques to histopathology in patients with diabetic foot syndrome and clinical suspicion of chronic osteomyelitis. The role of high-resolution ultrasound.
To investigate the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone scintigraphy (BS), and plain film radiography (PFR). We investigated 19 consecutive diabetic patients (2 women, 17 men, age 60.7 +/- 9.8 years, BMI 27.0 +/- 3.8 kg/m2) with clinical suspicion of bone infection of the foot. A high-resolution ultrasound system (Esaote/Biosound, Munich) with a linear array transducer up to 13.0 MHz was used. The prospective and blinded results of each method were compared with histopathology as the reference method after metatarsal resection. In 14 of 19 patients, histopathology confirmed osteomyelitis. Ultrasound showed a sensitivity of 79% (PFR, 69%; BS, 83%; MRI, 100%), a specificity of 80% (PFR, 80%; BS, 75%; MRI, 75%), a positive predictive value of 92% (PFR, 90%; BS, 91%; MRI, 93%), and a negative predictive value of 57% (PFR, 50%; BS, 60%; MRI, 100%). Our data indicate that ultrasound might have a better diagnostic power for detecting chronic osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot than PFR and has similar sensitivity and specificity as BS. MRI is superior to the other three methods. We conclude that the use of ultrasound in the management of the diabetic foot is worthy of further investigation.


Allergenic activity and biochemical analysis of three soluble antigen preparations from Brucella abortus strain 45/20.
Three Brucella abortus strain 45/20 antigen preparations were compared with regard to their chemical composition and allergenic potential. A popular method of extracting soluble antigens from whole cells with hypertonic saline solution and ethanol precipitation was compared with the method of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or ammonium sulfate (AS) precipitation of antigens released into solution by ultrasonic cell disruption. Biochemical analysis of the preparations revealed that TCA and AS precipitates had considerably more protein and DNA and less carbohydrates and RNA than did the saline-ethanol extracts. Strain 19-vaccinated cattle were simultaneously skin tested with the three antigen preparations which had been standardized to an equal protein content. Significant (P less than 0.01) delayed hypersensitivity reactions were observed in response to all three antigen preparations. However, TCA-prepared allergens were more active in eliciting delayed hypersensitivity (P less tha 0.05) than were the two other allergens. Increased agglutinating antibodies were not observed in response to the skin-test reagents.


Des-aspartate-angiotensin I, a novel angiotensin AT(1) receptor drug.
The review describes DAA-I (des-aspartate-angiotensin-I) as a prototype of a novel class of drugs that acts as agonists on the angiotensin AT1 receptor or ARAs (angiotensin receptor agonists). DAA-I is a component of the renin angiotensin system. Earlier studies showed that it was rapidly metabolized to angiotensin III. However, when administered at doses below the Km of enzymes, DAA-I produces specific actions that antagonize the deleterious actions of angiotensin II. DAA-I exerts protective actions in animal models of eight human pathologies in which angiotensin II is implicated. The pathologies include cardiac hypertrophy, neointima growth and cardiovascular hypertrophy, myocardial-ischemia reperfusion injury, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, chemical induced inflammation, and exercise-induced skeletal muscle inflammation. Binding of DAA-I to the angiotensin AT1 receptors releases prostaglandins, which could either function as autocrines/paracrines or second messengers and attenuate the deleterious actions of angiotensin II. It is possible that in in vivo DAA-I functions as a physiological antagonist to angiotensin II, and exogenous DAA-I is a novel class of angiotensin receptor drug that could rival the angiotensin receptor blockers.


Design and validation of a multiphase 3D model to simulate tropospheric pollution.
This work presents the Transport and Chemical Aerosol Model (TCAM) formulation and its validation in the frame of CityDelta-CAFE project. TCAM is a 3D eulerian multiphase model simulating tropospheric secondary pollution at mesoscale. It is included in the GAMES (Gas Aerosol Modelling Evaluation System) modelling system, designed to support the analysis of secondary pollution dynamics and to assess the impact of emission control strategies. The presented validation assessment has been performed in the frame of the CityDelta II project over the Milan domain and concerns both gas and aerosol 1999 simulations. Ozone, nitrogen oxides and aerosol computed and observed patterns have been compared and analysed by means of statistical indicators showing high model performances for both winter and summer pollution regimes.


Combined dietary-exercise intervention for gestational weight gain and birthweight: a meta-analysis.
Excessive gestational weight gain has been associated with higher risk for large for gestational age newborns. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess whether an intensive diet and exercise intervention has an effect in reducing gestational weight gain and large for gestational age newborns. The search was conducted on PubMed and Cochrane database. Through PRISMA flow diagram, clinical trials which met the inclusion criteria were selected. Risk of bias, sensitivity analysis, and quality of evidence assessment were conducted using adequate statistical tests, and the quality of evidence was performed by GRADE method. A random-effect model was used to estimate the statistical significance of the meta- analysis. Ten clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. Using the random-effect model and a sensitivity analysis, it was found that an intensive patient-centered intervention reduced gestational weight gain when compared with standard prenatal care (Z=6.21 (p<0.00001); Tau²=0.00; Chi²=3.90, df=4 (p=0.42); I²=0%), and the quality of evidence was moderate. An intensive diet and exercise intervention decreased the number of large for gestational age newborns (Z=2.20 (p=0.03); Tau²=0.14; Chi²=7.84, df=4 (p=0.10); I²=49%), and the quality of evidence using the GRADE approach was moderate. The present review and meta-analysis indicates that an intensive diet and exercise intervention reduced gestational weight gain and large for gestational age newborns.


Controlled fragmentation of multimaterial fibres and films via polymer cold-drawing.
Polymer cold-drawing is a process in which tensile stress reduces the diameter of a drawn fibre (or thickness of a drawn film) and orients the polymeric chains. Cold-drawing has long been used in industrial applications, including the production of flexible fibres with high tensile strength such as polyester and nylon. However, cold-drawing of a composite structure has been less studied. Here we show that in a multimaterial fibre composed of a brittle core embedded in a ductile polymer cladding, cold-drawing results in a surprising phenomenon: controllable and sequential fragmentation of the core to produce uniformly sized rods along metres of fibre, rather than the expected random or chaotic fragmentation. These embedded structures arise from mechanical-geometric instabilities associated with 'neck' propagation. Embedded, structured multimaterial threads with complex transverse geometry are thus fragmented into a periodic train of rods held stationary in the polymer cladding. These rods can then be easily extracted via selective dissolution of the cladding, or can self-heal by thermal restoration to re-form the brittle thread. Our method is also applicable to composites with flat rather than cylindrical geometries, in which case cold-drawing leads to the break-up of an embedded or coated brittle film into narrow parallel strips that are aligned normally to the drawing axis. A range of materials was explored to establish the universality of this effect, including silicon, germanium, gold, glasses, silk, polystyrene, biodegradable polymers and ice. We observe, and verify through nonlinear finite-element simulations, a linear relationship between the smallest transverse scale and the longitudinal break-up period. These results may lead to the development of dynamical and thermoreversible camouflaging via a nanoscale Venetian-blind effect, and the fabrication of large-area structured surfaces that facilitate high-sensitivity bio-detection.


Band structure and unconventional electronic topology of CoSi.
Semimetals with certain crystal symmetries may possess unusual electronic structure topology, distinct from that of the conventional Weyl and Dirac semimetals. Characteristic property of these materials is the existence of band-touching points with multiple (higher than two-fold) degeneracy and nonzero Chern number. CoSi is a representative of this group of materials exhibiting the so-called 'new fermions'. We report on an ab initio calculation of the electronic structure of CoSi using density functional methods, taking into account the spin-orbit interactions. The linearized [Formula: see text] Hamiltonian, describing the anisotropic electronic structure of CoSi near the Γ point is derived. The topological features of band-touching nodes with four- and six-fold degeneracy located at the Γ and R points in the first Brillouin zone are analysed using the linearized Hamiltonians and first principle calculations. In particular, we show, using the non-Abelian Berry curvature, that these band-touching points carry topological charges of [Formula: see text], which change signs at certain values of parameters of the Hamiltonians. We describe the resulting Fermi arc surface states and their spin texture. We also discuss the influence of many body [Formula: see text] corrections on the electronic band structure and the topological properties of CoSi.


The effect of hydrothermal spark discharge anodization in the early integration of implants in sheep sinuses.
Spark discharge anodic oxidation forms a porous oxide film on titanium implant surfaces, which may increase surface roughness and enhance early osseointegration. This study aimed to clinically and histomorphometric compare commercially-available sandblasted (RBM) implants, treated with hydrothermal anodization and placed into an animal maxillary sinus model. Thirty 3.75 mm × 8.5 mm threaded titanium implants were placed into the maxillary sinuses of 10 sheep via an external approach, with three test groups and 10 implants per group: right side, Control = CP-titanium with RBM surface, Test group 1 = CP-titanium with RBM + anodized surface; left side, Test group 2 = Ti-6Al-7Nb with RBM + anodized surface. Schneiderian membranes were elevated but not bone grafted. Resonant frequency analysis (RFA) was measured at surgery. Animals were sacrificed after 1 month unloaded healing. Resin-embedded undemineralized ground-sections were digitised, and mean bone-implant contact (% BIC) was measured bilaterally for the best-three consecutive threads. Seven of 30 implants showed signs of failure. RFA was low at placement but did not differ between the groups (group mean ISQ values ranged from 23 to 35; χ(2) = 0.37). RFA was not repeated at sacrifice due to implant instability. Histomorphometric analysis showed % BIC was highest for control (34.8 ± 15.7), followed by Test 1 (29.6 ± 18.1) and Test 2 implants (23.3 ± 22.7), but this difference was not statistically significant (χ(2) = 0.3). Early integration of RBM implants placed into thin maxillary sinus walls was not enhanced by hydrothermal anodization of implant surfaces. This may be related to the initial low stability of the implants and the relatively short healing period. However, non-anodized RBM surfaces showed promising results, with % BIC values comparable to the best estimates of other studies using sinus grafting. Whether the modification of the implant surfaces through anodization with simultaneous sinus grafting would promote enhanced early osseointegration, is a subject of future research.


Fertility-sparing approaches in gynecologic cancers: a review of ESGO task force activities.
Preservation of fertility has become a very important issue in gynecologic oncology of the young. Owing to the clinical importance of appropriate management of young patients with gynecologic cancer, the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO) decided in 2007 to launch the Task Force for Fertility Preservation in Gynecologic Cancer. This task force is supposed to promote knowledge of infertility induced by treatment of gynecologic cancers among health care workers and the public through national and international collaboration among oncologists, reproductive specialists, and allied health workers to promote research and education and to develop new strategies for fertility preservation. This article summarizes all the past and current activities of this task force.


Regulation of muscarinic receptor expression by changes in mRNA stability.
Regulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtype mRNAs was investigated in the human neuroblastoma cell line IMR-32 and in transfected CHO cells. IMR-32 cells express both m1 and m3 subtypes of mAChR. Exposure of IMR-32 cells to the muscarinic agonist, carbamylcholine (CBC) leads to a time dependent down-regulation of mAChRs which was maximal by 9 hours. mAChR activation resulted in a differential regulation of mAChR subtype mRNAs. m1 mAChR mRNA was down-regulated following 12 hours of agonist treatment and was associated with a decreased stability of the receptor transcript. In contrast, the m3 mAChR mRNA was resistant to agonist treatment for up to 24 hours. Using transfected CHO cells, we identified sequence elements within the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the m1 mAChR gene which dictate agonist-induced destabilization of the m1 mAChR mRNA. Removal of these sequences abolished the ability of chronic agonist exposure to destabilize m1 mAChR mRNA. These findings suggest that sequence specific differences between m1 and m3 mAChR subtypes, which both preferentially couple to hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, may be responsible for differences in the regulation of mAChR gene expression.


Acute effects of periodontal therapy on bio-markers of vascular health.
We aimed to study the impact of periodontal therapy on several bio-markers related to vascular health. Fifty-five consecutive subjects (age range 30-64 years) having severe periodontitis received an intensive session of periodontal therapy under local anaesthesia and provided blood samples before and 1 and 7 and 30 days following therapy. High-sensitivity assays were utilized to quantify serum concentrations of inflammatory markers [interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha], plasma haemostatic (D-dimer) and endothelial soluble markers [soluble E-selectin (s-Es) and von Willebrand factor antigen (r-WF:Ag)]. Periodontal therapy elicited a significant activation of the haemostatic system (38% and 68% mean increases of plasma D-dimer 1 and 7 days after therapy, respectively, p<0.001), together with moderate endothelial dysfunction (10% and 30% mean increases at 24 h in plasma soluble E-selectin, p<0.05 and von-Willebrand factor, p<0.01, respectively). D-Dimer and s-Es acute changes were significantly correlated with periodontal treatment time (p<0.05). Cigarette smoking status and body mass index strongly influenced the acute release of IL-1beta (p<0.05), D-dimer (p<0.01) and s-Es (p<0.01). Periodontal therapy represents a novel and reliable non-drug-induced model to investigate in vivo the interplay between inflammation, coagulation and endothelial cell activation.


The Canadian National Retirement Risk Index: employing statistics Canada's LifePaths to measure the financial security of future Canadian seniors.
This article measures a Canadian National Retirement Risk Index (NRRI). Originally developed by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the NRRI is a forward-looking measure that evaluates the proportion of working-aged individuals who are at risk of not maintaining their standard of living in retirement. The Canadian retirement income system has been very effective in reducing elderly poverty, but our results suggest that it has been much less successful in maintaining the living standards of Canadians after retirement. Since the earlier years of the new millennium, we find that approximately one-third of retiring Canadians have been unable to maintain their working-age consumption after retirement—a trend that is projected to worsen significantly for future Canadian retirees. The release of the Canadian NRRI is timely given the widespread concern that the current Canadian retirement income system is inadequate. Many proposals have recently emerged to extend and/or enhance Canadian public pensions, and the NRRI is a tool to test their merit. The methodology underlying the Canadian NRRI is uniquely sophisticated and comprehensive on account of our employment of Statistics Canada’s LifePaths, a state-of-the-art stochastic microsimulation model of the Canadian population. For instance, the Canadian NRRI is novel in that it models all of the relevant sources of consumption before and after retirement, while accounting for important features that are typically neglected in retirement adequacy studies such as family size, the variation of consumption over a person’s lifetime, and the heterogeneity among the life courses of individuals.


Determinants of aerobic capacity during exercise following complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot with a transannular patch.
Exercise capacity and the causes of its limitation following repair of tetralogy of Fallot have been studied in heterogeneous populations. Study populations have been grouped together regardless of the type of repair and residual hemodynamic abnormalities. To better understand the factors limiting aerobic exercise capacity in patients repaired with a transannular patch, 37 patients with a transannular patch and no residual pulmonary stenosis underwent resting spirometry and treadmill exercise testing. Maximal oxygen consumption and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold were measured in all patients to assess aerobic capacity. Patients were subdivided by gender. Resting spirometry measurements tended to be lower in both genders compared to healthy controls but did not correlate with any measurement of aerobic capacity. Maximal oxygen consumption and anaerobic threshold were significantly less in the female than the male population. A quadratic relation between maximal oxygen consumption and age at exercise testing existed for both genders but peaked at an earlier age and was significantly less in the female population. There was a significant negative correlation between maximal oxygen consumption and echocardiographically estimated right ventricular inflow volume index in the female population only. These data suggest that in patients with tetralogy of Fallot repaired with a transannular patch aerobic capacity is limited primarily by cardiac function, but that gender differences are due to noncardiac causes.


Enhancement of catalytic performance in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation by microenvironment engineering of the nanocage.
Ru-TsDPEN confined in the nanocage with an amphiphilic microenvironment can be ten times more active than that with a hydrophobic one in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in HCOONa-H(2)O, which is mainly due to the enhanced diffusion rates of reactants during the catalytic process.


[Risk factors and strategies of dental implants in the maxillary posterior without sufficient bone available].
There are two ways to place dental implants in the maxillary posterior without sufficient bone available, one is the maxillary sinus floor bone augmentation technique, the other is to evade maxillary sinus. The maxillary sinus floor bone augmentation technique may result in a series of complication, and reduce obedience of patients for implant surgery. According to principles of the best bone utilization, the evaded maxillary sinus implant technique is more simple, more economic, more predictable, and more shortage of time, compared with the maxillary sinus floor bone augmentation technique, and has certain technological advantages in some special cases.


[Treatment of Seinsheimer type V subtrochanteric femoral fractures with dynamic hip screw and shape memory alloy bow-teeth screw].
To investigate the clinical effect of Seinsheimer type V subtrochanteric femoral fractures with dynamic hip screw and shape memory alloy bow-teeth screw. Twelve patients with Seinsheimer type V subtrochanteric femoral fractures were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 4 females with an average age of 53 years (range 31 to 65 years). Seven cases were caused by traffic accident, 4 cases by falling from hight, 1 case by heavy object. According to the Seinsheimer classification, all the cases were type V fractures. All the cases accepted the surgical treatment with dynamic hip screw and shape memory alloy bow-teeth screw fixation. The mean period of follow-up was 28 months (range 20 to 38 months). All the cases obtained bone union in average 3.3 months (from 3 to 4.5 months). There were no complications such as deep infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and bone nonunion. The results of clinical evaluation according to Merle d'Aubigne scores were 16.75 +/- 1.14 and excellent in 4 cases, good in 8 cases. Application of dynamic hip screw and shape memory alloy bow-teeth screw as a superior option can get satisfactory reduction with reliable fixation and will be one of a better choice for fixation of Seinsheimer type V subtrochanteric femoral fractures.


EZ-Viz, a tool for simplifying molecular viewing in PyMOL.
PyMOL is a molecular modeling program that can be used in a wide range of studies within the scientific community. Its ability to produce informative, detailed, stereoscopic images makes it a very powerful tool both in the laboratory and in the classroom. However, the PyMOL user interface is difficult to use, and the PyMOL User's Manual readily admits that "development has been focused on capabilities, not on ease-of-use for new users." To resolve this, we set out to develop a new interface for PyMOL that helps eliminate the need for command line interactions, making it a much more user-friendly interface. We have created a tabbed interface called EZ-Viz, which contains a series of buttons and entry fields that allow users to select given attributes of a molecule and make changes to it by clicking a button as opposed to issuing highly syntactical commands. Other features of the interface include a Chime/PyMOL command converter, nine preset molecular views, four molecular movies, and molecular sequence and hetero atom information, all at the click of a button. The ongoing and continued development of EZ-Viz could help to further the use of PyMOL, which we believe to be one of the most powerful molecular viewing programs currently available.


Effects of pressure and distortion on superconductivity in Tl₂Ba₂CaCu₂O(8+δ).
The systematic evolution of the structural, vibrational, and superconducting properties of nearly optimally doped Tl2Ba2CaCu2O(8+δ) with pressure up to 30 GPa is studied by x-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. No phase transformation is observed in the studied pressure regime. The obtained lattice parameters and unit-cell volume continuously decrease with pressure by following the expected equation of state. The axial ratio of c/a exhibits an anomaly starting from 9 GPa. At such a pressure level, the deviation from the nonlinear variation of the phonon frequencies is detected. Both the above observations indicate the enhancement of the distortion upon compression. The superconducting transition temperature is found to exhibit a parabolic behavior with a maximum of 114 K around 7 GPa. We demonstrate that the interplay between the intrinsic pressure variables and distortion controls the superconductivity.


Effectiveness of safety vests in pediatric horseback riding.
Despite the benefit of safety vests to the reduction of torso injuries in children and adolescents is unclear, its' use is recommended. The aim of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of safety vests actually used in pediatric equestrian activities. In this case-control-study, we analyzed the accidents of 92 riders aged 18 or younger who fell off a horse onto his/her torso during a period of 18 months. Data were gathered from the clinical records. Additionally, a questionnaire was administered on the day of trauma by the patients and/or their parents. The cases comprised 31 patients who sustained torso injuries. The controls were 61 riders with injuries of other body parts than to the torso. Safety vest use was not associated with a lower risk of torso injuries (OR=1.18, 95% CI (0.50, 2.81), p=0.707). Post hoc power analysis revealed that within such a setting an odds ratio of 0.266 could be found with a power of 80%. This study is not able to show an association between wearing a torso protector and protection from torso injuries, probably due to confounding. We did not detect a high effect of safety vest usage in our study population. Whether the development of a new generation of safety vests might be more effective remains unclear. An effective vest should be adapted to the requirements of children and adolescents and should protect the thorax and abdomen, but also the cervical and the lumbar spine.


Increase in glucose-stimulated insulin release and insulin biosynthesis in isolated pancreatic islets from D-galactosamine-treated rats.
Insulin secretion in response to glucose, glucose-stimulated insulin biosynthesis and insulin content was studied in pancreatic islets freshly isolated from male Wistar rats (150-200 g) with galactosamine-induced hepatitis. Animals were sacrificed by decapitation 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after a single intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg of galactosamine. Isolated islets prepared by collagenase method were perifused in Swim's medium with 20 mM glucose at 37 degrees C up to 30 minutes. Samples were taken at 2-10 min intervals for insulin assay. Insulin biosynthesis was assessed by the incorporation of [3H]-leucine into immunoprecipitable products (insulin and proinsulin) in pancreatic islets after 120 min incubation with 20 mM glucose. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was significantly increased at 6, 12 and 24 hours following the administration of galactosamine compared to control. The rate of insulin biosynthesis was stimulated to 170, 138 and 185% of control level 3, 6 and 12 hours after galactosamine-treatment, respectively. Significant increase in insulin content of islets was found 24 hours after galactosamine treatment, following the increased insulin biosynthesis. The present results indicate that pancreatic B cell function is activated in early stage of acute liver injury.


[A new technique to preserve the larynx in surgery for cervical esophageal carcinoma and the limit of its practical application].
A new technique to preserve the larynx in esophagectomy for cervical esophageal carcinoma is described. The trachea, which prevents exposure of the cervical esophagus, is dissected while maintaining the continuity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The tracheal stumps were turned over like a double door, and the esophageal tumor is excised with sufficient margins for suturing. The cervical esophagus is safely replaced with a free jejunum or the stomach followed by tracheal reconnection. The technique of tracheal reconnection in the neck is not difficult and is a safe procedure. Anastomotic insufficiency of the trachea may be compensated for with a temporary tracheostomy. This method is applicable in esophagectomy not only with curative but also with palliative intent to offer the patient a better quality of life. Theoretically, this method can be applied even for tumors minimally invading the trachea in which the invaded tracheal segment can be excised in combination with the esophagus, followed by tracheal anastomosis. Because this technique is a safe and easy procedure, it is recommended in cases in which proximal anastomosis appears difficult.


The measurement of instrumental ADL: content validity and construct validity.
A new measure of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), which is able to discriminate among the large group of elderly who do not depend on help, was tested for content validity and construct validity. Most assessments of functional ability include Physical ADL (PADL) and Instrumental ADL (IADL). PADL-scales assess the basic capacity of persons to care for themselves. IADL-scales are used to assess somewhat higher levels of performance, such as the ability to perform household chores or go shopping. Data were collected from 734 70-year-old people in Denmark in the county of Copenhagen. The measure of Instrumental ADL included 30 activities in relation to tiredness and reduced speed. Construct validity was tested by the Rasch model for item analysis; internal validity was specifically addressed by assessing the homogeneity of items under different conditions. The Rasch item analysis of IADL showed that 14 items could be combined into two qualitatively different additive scales. The IADL-measure complies with demands for content validity, distinguishes between what the elderly actually do, and what they are capable of doing, and is a good discriminator among the group of elderly persons who do not depend on help. It is also possible to add the items in a valid way. However, to obtain valid IADL-scales, we omitted items that were highly relevant to especially elderly women, such as house-work items. We conclude that the criteria employed for this IADL-measure are somewhat contradictory.


Detection of benzene and other gases with an open-path, static Fourier-transform UV spectrometer.
Releases of benzene and other gases have been detected and quantified using a novel optical, open-path instrument based on a deuterium light source and a static Fourier-transform spectrometer. The spectrometer uses Wollaston prisms to form an interferogram in the spatial domain that is recorded by use of a detector array. The instrument is designed to operate in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum between 200 and 270 nm, which coincides with strong absorption features in the spectra of many gases of environmental and health interest. Using the instrument with a 5-s measurement period provides a path-integrated concentration sensitivity to benzene of 2 parts in 10(6) times meter, which corresponds to a 20-parts in 10(9) detection limit over a typical path length of 100 m.


Real-time studies on microalgae under microgravity.
Using remote sensing technique, we investigated real-time Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz (Cyanobacterium) in Closed System under microgravity by SHENZHOU-2 spacecraft in January 2001. The experiments had 1 g centrifuges in space for control and ground control group experiments were also carried out in the same equipments and under the same controlled condition. The data about the population growth of Nostoc sp. of experiments and temperature changes of system were got from spacecraft every minute. From the data, we can find that population growth of Nostoc sp. in microgravity group was higher than that of other groups in space or on ground, even though both the control 1 g group in space and 1 g group on ground indicated same increasing characteristics in experiments. The growth rate of 1.4 g group (centrifuged group on ground) was also promoted during experiment. The temperature changes of systems are also affected by gravity and light. Some aspects about those differences were discussed. From the discussion of these results during experiment, it can be found that gravity is the major factor to lead to these changes.


Potential of European wild strains of Agaricus subrufescens for productivity and quality on wheat straw based compost.
The Brazilian almond mushroom is currently cultivated for its medicinal properties but cultivars are suspected all to have a common origin. The objective of this work was to assess the potential of wild isolates of Agaricus subrufescens Peck (Agaricus blazei, Agaricus brasiliensis) as a source of new traits to improve the mushroom yield and quality for developing new cultures under European growing conditions. The wild European strains analysed showed a good ability to be commercially cultivated on wheat straw and horse manure based compost: shorter time to fruiting, higher yield, similar antioxidant activities when compared to cultivars. They have a valuable potential of genetic and phenotypic diversity and proved to be interfertile with the original culture of the Brazilian almond mushroom. Intercontinental hybrids could be obtained and combine properties from both Brazilian and European germplasm for increasing the choice of strains cultivated by the mushroom growers.


Thyroid hormone levels in children with liver cirrhosis awaiting a liver transplant.
Evidence exists that decreased in triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels are associated with the severity of liver disease, and these hormones could be used as disease prognostic factors, but there are paradoxes in this regard in the literature. This study aimed at evaluating the correlation between thyroid hormone levels and severity of liver disease. We measured thyroid hormone levels in 83 children with liver cirrhosis using radioimmunoassay techniques. Four patients (4.8%) showed a decrease in the amount of T3 and 9 patients (10.8%) revealed increased levels of T3. Also, decreases were seen in the T4 levels of 7 patients (8.4%), and 4 patients (4.8%) showed increases in levels of T4. The serum albumin levels were lower and international normalized ratio was higher in patients with low T3 and low T4. This study reveals that the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease scores are statistically related to the decreased amounts of T4 (P = .036). The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease scores and the Child scores were higher in low T3 patients, but this was not significant (P > .05). Decreased levels of thyroid hormones are correlated with the severity of disease and can be seen in more advanced cirrhosis. Patients with decreased T4 levels need a liver transplant more immediately than those patients that do not have decreased T4 levels.


Stress-related changes in proinflammatory cytokine production in wounds.
Several recent studies have shown that stress markedly delays wound healing. This study assessed the relationship between psychological stress and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines at an actual wound site, providing in vivo data on the development of local immune responses that are central in the early stages of wound repair. To study the dynamics of inflammation, skin blisters were induced on the forearm of 36 women (mean age, 57 years) by suction. After the blister roofs were removed, a plastic template was taped to the arm, and wells were filled with 70% autologous serum in buffer. Specimens were aspirated from blister chamber wells 5 and 24 hours after wounding. Women with higher perceived stress scores demonstrated significantly lower levels of 2 key cytokines--interleukin 1alpha and interleukin 8--at wound sites. In addition, subjects who had low levels of both cytokines after 24 hours reported more stress and negative affect, and they had higher levels of salivary cortisol than those who had high cytokine levels. Consistent with the evidence that stress delays wound healing, these data suggest a possible mechanism: psychological stress has measurable effects on proinflammatory cytokine production in the local wound environment.


Massage as an orthodox medical treatment past and future.
Massage has had a long history within orthodox medicine and is not an unknown, untried therapy of dubious origin. Writers on massage usually refer to its long history in ancient cultures but stop with Ling, to whom they attribute the development of modern massage in the early 19th century. Little attention is given to the rich massage literature of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which reveals massage to have been an orthodox medical therapy practised by doctors and nurses. Analysis of that literature shows massage to have been significantly different in its application to most of today's practice, despite similarity of definition and terminology. Lack of detailed specification of a massage is a limitation of much current research, and this paper suggests a framework, or template, for that specification based on the earlier literature, so that future massages used in research can be replicated and implemented more reliably than at present. Massage as an orthodox therapy almost disappeared after WWII, but has recently reemerged as a complementary therapy which requires a full re-evaluation and audit. The template for its specification, together with the utilization and reconsideration of earlier modes of delivery, offers significant research opportunities for nurses and midwives of today.


Use of whole blood methods in assessment of immune parameters in immunodeficiency states.
Whole blood (WB) methods requiring less than 4 ml heparinized peripheral blood were used to define mononuclear cell phenotype, lymphocyte proliferation, and natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CYT) in samples from normal controls and patients with immunodeficiency states of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complexes (ARC). Results from two-color direct immunofluorescence staining of blood samples with monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) conjugated to phycoerythrin (PE) or to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and flow cytometry for the determination of mononuclear cells reactive with T11, T4, T8, B1, and NKH.1 surface markers were compared to one-color indirect immunofluorescence analysis with unlabeled Mabs and FITC-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG and flow cytometry. We found that two-color analysis was as sensitive as one-color analysis in detecting abnormal subset distribution in the patient groups. Functional properties of mononuclear cells (MNC) in WB samples and after density gradient separation were studied by mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and CYT. Although the means of the groups studied varied depending on method used, results using WB methods clearly delineated the expected differences between the immunodepressed patients and normal subjects. The effects of sample storage on results obtained with WB methods for surface marker analysis, lymphocyte proliferation, and natural killer activity were also examined.


Determination of the complement component C2 by ELISA in human serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids.
In order to measure the concentration of the human complement component C2 in various biological fluids, an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. This assay was highly sensitive and allowed to detect as few as 400 pg of C2 in a sample volume of 150 microliters (i.e. 2.6 ng/ml). This is a 10- to 15-fold increase in sensitivity with regard to the conventional hemolytic test. As assessed by an immunoblot analysis, our anti-C2 antiserum was able to detect native C2 as well as the cleavage fragments C2a and C2b generated upon complement activation through the classical pathway. Thus, complement activation involving the classical pathway can easily be evidenced by comparing functional (hemolytic) and immunochemical (ELISA) C2 assays which respectively do not and do reveal activated C2. When C2 was assayed in either normal human serum or bronchoalveolar fluids, in both ELISA and hemolytic tests, a highly significant correlation was observed between the two assays (P less than or equal to 0.01). The specific C2 activity (i.e. functional hemolytic activity/ng C2 assayed in ELISA) was higher in serum than in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from both normal volunteers and patients with pulmonary diseases.


Classification of leprosy cases under field conditions in Bangladesh. I. Usefulness of skin-smear examinations.
In 2 non-governmental organization projects in Bangladesh 244 new leprosy patients were classified in the field according to clinical criteria. Skin smears were taken at 4 standardized sites and at the most active peripheral lesion, where a biopsy was also taken. Comparison of the clinical field classification with the results of the skin smears and biopsies gives a sensitivity of 92.1% for the clinical criteria, but a specificity of only 41.3%. The skin-smear results, on the other hand, have a sensitivity of 88.4% and a specificity of 98.1%. Thus, skin smears may contribute considerably to the operational classification of leprosy patients under field conditions. Quality control of the peripheral laboratory is essential. Appropriate site selection for the smear taking will also contribute to increased performance. Analysis of the skin-smear results suggests that the policy of taking smears at standardized sites should be abandoned in favour of the earlobes and active peripheral lesions.


PracticeCALM: Coaching Anxiety Lessening Methods for Radiation Therapists: A Pilot Study of a Skills-Based Training Program in Radiation Oncology.
PracticeCALM is an 8-week on-the-job training program to teach radiation therapists (RTs) techniques for assisting patients who are experiencing treatment-related anxiety. Twelve clinical RTs in a regional oncology program were recruited on a volunteer basis to participate in the training. A mixed-method approach was undertaken to evaluate perceived benefits to clinical practice. The quantitative findings from the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) showed there were no changes before and after training. Qualitative findings showed significant benefits to RTs, including (1) ability to empathically attune more effectively and earlier to signs of anxiety in patients; (2) improved confidence and self-efficacy for effectively intervening in difficult treatment situations; and (3) enhanced creative problem solving in partnership with patients to assist the acutely anxious patient. The PSS results suggest that intrinsic and extrinsic stressors are a variable but consistent part of the everyday reality of RT practice. A training program focusing on the therapeutic presence dimension of RT practice has a direct impact on effectiveness in assisting anxious patients undergoing RT. When embedded in the clinical life of a radiation therapy department, such a training program has the potential to capture the lived practice wisdom and creative skills of RTs, and effectively mediate these skills across a team through group discussions and documentation on patient charts.


Alkalimetric determination of amoxycillin trihydrate in non-aqueous medium.
A simple method for determination of amoxycillin by non-aqueous titration in dimethylformamide medium is described. The relative standard deviation is 0.3%.


[Epidemiology and mechanisms of pneumonia in adults].
Pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in France. Microbial epidemiology, profile of bacterial resistance and prognosis depend on the type of pneumonia (community acquired pneumonia [CAP], health-care associated pneumonia, hospital acquired pneumonia or ventilator associated bacterial pneumonia). Streptococcus pneumoniae, community respiratory viruses, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumonia and Legionella sp. are the five most common pathogens causing CAP in adults. The susceptibility of these four bacteria to antibiotics used in the management of CAP remains stable over time. Comorbidities, risk factors or impairment of the host defence mechanisms changes the microbial classic epidemiology of CAP. Patients with health care-associated pneumonia have an increased risk of multidrug-resistant bacteria, initial inappropriate antimicrobial treatment, severity and mortality, due to a different microbial epidemiology from those of CAP.


Prospective evaluation of a peripherally administered three-in-one parenteral nutrition product in dogs.
Peripheral parenteral nutrition is an option for short-term nutritional support in dogs which cannot be supported with enteral nutrition. The objective of this study was to examine the use of a three-in-one, 840 mOsmol/l peripheral parenteral nutrition product containing amino acids, lipids and glucose in separate compartments in dogs. Nine dogs were administered the three-in-one product, and two dogs were administered the amino acid part of the product, via a peripheral vein. Dogs were monitored for mechanical and metabolic complications. Mechanical complications (apparent thrombus or thrombophlebitis) caused failure of infusion at a median of 36 hours. None of the dogs appeared to develop catheter-related sepsis. Using a 10-hour infusion period appeared to decrease the incidence of line failure. Mild and clinically non-significant hyperglycaemia was the only metabolic complication. In four of the dogs, serum folate, cobalamin and homocysteine concentrations were determined before and after peripheral parenteral nutrition administration. Oral and parenteral administration of methionine has been previously associated with lowered serum folate concentrations. Low serum folates and the subsequent hyperhomocysteinaemia have been associated with venous endothelial damage and venous thrombus in other species. Serum cobalamin also affects homocysteine metabolism. Median serum folate, cobalamin and homocysteine concentrations were not affected by the short-term administration of this three-in-one product. Using the product for 24 hours/day may require catheter replacement due to line failure. Other than line failure, which may be improved by 10- to 12-hour infusion times, this product was found to be safe and practical for short-term peripheral parenteral nutrition in dogs.


[Automatic injectors in magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography: pilot study on hygienic aspects].
To evaluate hygienic conditions using automatic injectors in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) during clinical routine. The surfaces of medical devices (e. g., control console) and the palms of the technical and medical staff were microbiologically analyzed by taking imprints before and after hygienic education. In addition, the injector syringes for contrast medium (CM) and saline were checked for microbiological contamination following multiple (MRI: 14 h; CT 8 h) and single use. Furthermore, the potential of retrograde contamination from the patient along the tube was analyzed. A bacterial contamination with typical dermal bacteria was documented for the surfaces of the medical devices, the palms of the technical and medical staff, and the injection syringes following multiple use (MRI: 10/10 CM syringes, 6/10 saline syringes; CT: 8/10 CM syringes, 5/10 saline syringes). Correct hand disinfection in combination with single use of syringes avoided bacterial colonization. Retrograde bacterial contamination from the patient was not observed. Regular hygienic teaching sessions for technical and medical staff in MRI and CT departments using automatic injectors should be mandatory. Furthermore, the multiple use of syringes should be avoided until investigations addressing the potential of bacterial contamination are performed.


Predicting the course of juvenile dermatomyositis: significance of early clinical and laboratory features.
Juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of childhood. The clinical course of juvenile DM appears to be variable, and little is known about predictors of the disease course. The aims of this study were to describe the clinical course of juvenile DM and to determine whether early clinical and laboratory features can be used to predict the time to remission and/or the disease course. Clinical and laboratory data from a cohort of 84 patients with juvenile DM were prospectively entered into a database (1990-2005). Remission was defined as a clinical state of no active skin rash, weakness, or elevated muscle enzyme levels for 6 months off medication. The disease course was defined as monophasic, polyphasic, or chronic. Data were reviewed at the time of diagnosis and at 3 months and 6 months after the diagnosis to determine predictors of the time to remission and/or the disease course. The median time to remission was 4.67 years. Sixty percent of patients had a chronic course, 37% a monophasic course, and 3% a polyphasic course. The presence of rash (most strongly indicated by Gottron's papules) at 3 months was the earliest predictor of a longer time to remission (relative risk [RR] 0.55 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.37-0.81], P = 0.002). At 6 months, the presence of nailfold abnormalities and rash also predicted a longer time to remission (RR 0.35 [95% CI 0.14-0.74], P = 0.003). We were unable to determine a prediction model of disease course. The majority of patients in our cohort had a chronic disease course. The persistence of Gottron's papules and nailfold abnormalities early in the disease course was associated with a longer time to remission.


Drop mixing in a microchannel for lab-on-a-chip platforms.
We present theory, simulations, and experiments for discrete drop mixing in microchannels. The drops are placed sequentially in a channel and then moved at a set velocity to achieve mixing. The mixing occurs in three different regimes (diffusion-dominated, dispersion-dominated, and convection-dominated) depending on the Péclet number (Pe) and the drop dimensions. Introducing the modified Péclet number (Pe*), we show asymptotic curves that can be used to predict the mixing time and the required distance for mixing for any of the three regimes. Simulations of the mixing experiments using COMSOL agree with the theoretical limits. In our experimental work, we used a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel with a membrane air bypass valve to remove the air between drops. This approach enables precise control of the mixing and merging site. Experimental, simulation, and theoretical results all agree and show that mixing can occur in fractions of a second to hours, depending on the parameters used.


Increase in Periodontal Interleukin-1β Gene Expression Following Osseous Resective Surgery Using Conventional Rotary Instruments Compared with Piezosurgery: A Split-Mouth Randomized Clinical Trial.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early inflammatory response following osseous resective surgery (ORS) with Piezosurgery compared to commonly used diamond burs. A sample was selected of 24 bilateral posterior sextants requiring ORS in 12 chronic periodontitis patients in a split-mouth design. In 12 sextants, bone recontouring was performed using a piezoelectric device. In the contralateral sextants, rotary instruments were used. Sextants treated with Piezosurgery obtained similar 12-month clinical results but lower postsurgical gene expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a well-known proinflammatory cytokine, and lower patient morbidity compared with sextants treated with rotary instruments. In spite of the longer surgical time, the use of Piezosurgery for ORS seems to promote more favorable wound healing compared with rotary instruments, as the lower pain and the low levels of IL-1β mRNA at the surgical sites suggest a milder underlying inflammatory response.


Genetic polymorphism of ABO and Rh system in relation to bronchial asthma: preliminary report.
115 asthmatic children and 1001 healthy voluntary blood donors were studied in order to determine the distribution of blood groups among them. Gene frequencies were also calculated in asthmatic patients and controls. No difference was noted between Rh system in both groups; but the ABO system showed an excess of blood group A among asthmatic patients. Gene frequency of A (p) and gene frequency of O (r) was quite different too for asthmatics and controls. No difference was noted in blood groups B and AB; nor in the gene frequency of B(q). The difference in the distribution of blood group A and O between control and asthmatic groups was found to be highly significant (P less than 0.02) with the chi-square test.


Effect of cisplatin, rIFN-Y, LPS and MDP on release of H2O2, O2- and lysozyme from human monocytes in vitro.
Increased secretion of H2O2, O2- and lysozyme by human monocytes in vitro on treatment with cisplatin, rIFN-Y (interferon-Y), LPS (lipopolysaccharide) and MDP (muramyl dipeptide) is reported. It is suggested that increased production of these secretory products represent the activated state of monocytes. These in vitro activated monocytes could either kill the tumor cells via increased contact mediated cytolysis or cytolysis mediated via the release of the secretory products like H2O2, O2- and lysozyme.


Combined management of retroperitoneal sarcoma with dose intensification radiotherapy and resection: long-term results of a prospective trial.
Late failure is a challenging problem following resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). We investigated the effects of preoperative XRT plus dose escalation with early postoperative brachytherapy (BT) on long-term survival and recurrence in RPS. From June 1996 to October 2000, eligible patients with resectable RPS were entered onto a phase II trial of preoperative XRT (45-50 Gray) plus postoperative BT (20-25 Gray). Kaplan Meier survival curves were constructed and compared by log rank analysis (SPSS 21.0). All 40 patients had preoperative XRT and total gross resection as part of the prospective trial, nineteen received BT (48%). Median follow-up was 106 months. For the entire cohort, OS at 5 and 10 years was 70% and 64%, respectively; RFS at 5 and 10 years was 69% and 63%. RFS was significantly reduced in high versus low grade RPS at 5 years (53% vs. 88%, p=0.016), but not at 10 years (53% vs. 75%, p=0.079). RFS and OS at 10 years were reduced in patients who presented with recurrent compared to primary disease (RFS 30% vs. 74%, p=0.015; OS 36% vs. 76%, p=0.036). At 10 years, neither RFS nor OS was improved in patients who received BT compared to those who did not (RFS 56% vs. 69%, p=0.54; OS 52% vs.76%, p=0.23). In this prospective trial with mature follow-up, long-term OS and RFS in patients who underwent combined preoperative XRT plus resection of RPS compare favourably with those reported in retrospective institutional and population-based series. Postoperative BT was associated with unacceptable toxicity and did not contribute to disease control. In a prospective trial with mature follow-up, preoperative radiation combined with complete resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma resulted in favourable long-term RFS and OS compared to historical controls. Dose escalation with postoperative brachytherapy was not associated with better disease control.


Cornelia de Lange syndrome.
Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a congenital condition that can affect many of a child's systems. It was named after the Dutch paediatrician who first identified it.


Irradiation attenuates neurogenesis and exacerbates ischemia-induced deficits.
Increased neurogenesis after cerebral ischemia suggests that functional recovery after stroke may be attributed, in part, to neural regeneration. In this study, we investigated the role of neurogenesis in the behavioral performance of gerbils after cerebral global ischemia. We used ionizing radiation to decrease neural regeneration, and 2 weeks later cerebral global ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. One month after the occlusion, the animals were behaviorally tested. Irradiation alone reduced neurogenesis but did not change vascular or dendritic morphology at the time of behavioral testing. Neither did irradiation, ischemia, or combined treatment impair rotor-rod performance or alter open-field activity. Gerbils subjected to both irradiation and ischemia demonstrated impaired performance in the water-maze task, compared with those that received only ischemia, radiation, or no treatment. These impairments after cerebral global ischemia under conditions of reduced neurogenesis support a role for the production of new cells in mediating functional recovery.


Riga-Fede disease: report of a case and review.
Self-mutilation of tongue is a type of self-injurious behavior. Ulcers of the lingual frenum in neonates with natal lower incisors are referred to as Riga-Fede disease. In this paper a case of Riga-Fede disease in a ten-month infant male with lower central incisors is reported. The ulcer resolved after the sharp incisal edges were smoothened and topical triameinolone was applied. As this lesion may be confused or associated with other serious disorders, a review of medical and dental literature was included.