Attractive and repulsive interactions originating from lateral nanometer variations in surface charge/energy of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate doped polypyrrole observed using atomic force microscopy.
Phase imaging in atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a useful technique for determining dissipative tip-sample interactions related to changes in the material surface properties such as local stiffness or adhesion. In this work, we applied both phase imaging and phase spectroscopy measurements to conducting polymer (polypyrrole) doped with either hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate. As observed in previous studies, phase-separated regions correlating with the characteristic nodular topography of polypyrrole and attributed to crystalline (doped) and amorphous (undoped) regions were observed. However, through additional phase spectroscopy measurements, we show that the phase-separated regions can arise due to variation in attractive and repulsive tip-sample interactions across the polymer surface. We show that these attractive and repulsive interactions are dependent on the redox state and degree of doping and suggest that they are related to phase separation of the polymer surface charge and/or energy. The latter may have implications for these materials when under investigation in a fluid, or biological, environment. For example, such surface variations will play a role in electrostatic forces, which in turn can influence protein and cellular interactions.


[Status of music therapy in inpatient pediatrics and child and adolescent psychiatry].
In order to study the present situation of music therapy in hospitals of pediatrics and of child and adolescent psychiatry in the FRG, a postal survey at these hospitals was performed. The personnel situation, methods of music therapy and indications for music therapy were examined. The data are analysed according to the kind and the size of hospital; they are compared to results obtained in a survey at out-patient pediatrics and to a similar survey from the year 1990.


Fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the monitoring of liver allografts. Different cellular findings during rejection and cytomegalovirus infection.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsies were used for clinical monitoring of liver allografts; 21 patients with an inflammatory episode of acute rejection (12.0 +/- 3.3 CIU at the peak) were studied; all episodes were reversible. The inflammatory infiltrate consisted mainly of lymphoid cells, including lymphoid blasts, with increased numbers of class II and IL-2-receptor expressing lymphocytes. No lymphoid activation was seen in corresponding blood specimens. A rapid response to antirejection therapy with high-dose steroids was recorded by FNAB. Another group of 7 recipients without rejection developed a severe CMV disease. The CMV disease was associated with mild inflammation in the FNAB (3.2 +/- 0.9 CIU at the peak), but fewer blast cells and activated cell types were recorded in the graft, and blast cells and lymphocyte activation were seen in the blood specimens, as well. The inflammation disappeared from the FNABs during successful antiviral treatment. The cellular findings of rejection and CMV infection were significantly different, and the presence or absence of rejection could be firmly established by FNAB.


Fishery consequences of marine reserves: short-term pain for longer-term gain.
Marine reserves are often established in areas that support fisheries. Larval export from reserves is argued to help compensate for the loss of fishable habitat; however, previous modeling studies have focused on long-term equilibrium outcomes. We examined the transient consequences of reserve establishment for fished metapopulations, considering both a well-mixed larval pool and a spatially explicit model based on a coral trout (Plectropomus spp.) metapopulation. When fishing pressure was reallocated relative to the area protected, yields decreased initially, then recovered, and ultimately exceeded pre-reserve levels. However, recovery time was on the order of several years to decades. If fishing pressure intensified to maintain pre-reserve yields, reserves were sometimes unable to support the increased mortality and the metapopulation collapsed. This was more likely when reserves were small, or located peripherally within the metapopulation. Overall, reserves can achieve positive conservation and fishery benefits, but fisheries management complementary to reserve implementation is essential.


Topical application of dimethylbenz[a]anthracene results in the generation of multiple melanocytic nevi in C3H/HeN mice.
Melanocytic nevi are a common dermatological problem for which there are few in vivo models. It has been postulated that environmental factors contribute to their development. Experiments were therefore conducted to determine whether application of dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to the skin of mice would result in the development of melanocytic nevi. One hundred microliters of a 0.1%, 0.5%, or 1.0% solution of DMBA was applied to the dorsal skin of C3H/HeN mice. The mice were then observed for the appearance of pigmented lesions. Histological examination revealed perifollicular accumulations of nevus cells, which were S-100-protein and HMB-45-positive, confirming their melanocytic origin. Pigmented lesions did not occur in animals treated with vehicle alone. Dose response studies revealed both greater numbers of nevi and lesions with larger diameters as the dose of DMBA was increased from 0.1% to 0.5%. In no instance was an invasive melanoma observed even after 40 weeks. The fact that melanocytic nevi can be produced by topical application of DMBA suggests that xenobiotics may play a previously unrecognized role in the development of this common benign neoplasm. Because this is one of the only animal models for melanocytic nevi, further examination of this model may facilitate identification of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms that lead to the development of pigmented nevi and the factors that promote their evolution into invasive melanomas.


Trinuclear copper(II) complexes derived from Schiff-base ligands based on a 6-amino-6-deoxyglucopyranoside: structural and magnetic characterization.
The trinuclear copper(II) complexes ([CuL1)(mu-ac)Cu(mu-ac)CuL1) (1) and ([CuL2)(mu-ac)Cu(mu-ac)CuL2) (2) of the tridentate aminosaccharide-derived Schiff-base ligands H2L1 [6-N-(salicylidene)amino-6-deoxy-1,2,3-tri-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside] and H2L2 [6-N-(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)amino-6-deoxy-1,2,3-tri-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside] were synthesized and structurally characterized. The trinuclear complex units can be described as two terminal copper-ligand moieties bridged by a central copper acetate moiety, with the Cu centers arranged in a triangular fashion. IR and UV/vis spectroscopic studies strongly indicate that the trinuclear structure is maintained in a methanolic solution. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of both complexes shows a moderate antiferromagnetic coupling and can be well interpreted by applying a symmetric Cua-Cub-Cua' model with linear spin topology. The fit of the magnetic data affords coupling constants J of -34 and -24 cm(-1) for 1 and 2, respectively [H = -J(SaSb + SbSa')]. For mu-alkoxo-mu-acetato-bridged copper(II) complexes with a large dihedral angle between the adjacent coordination planes, as found in 1 and 2, such an antiferromagnetic coupling is unusual. However, density functional theory calculations of 2 using BP86, B3LYP*, and B3LYP density functionals confirmed a symmetric doublet ground state.


Effects of adsorbed water on plasmon-based dissolution, redeposition and resulting spectral changes of Ag nanoparticles on single-crystalline TiO2.
Ag nanoparticles photocatalytically deposited on single-crystalline TiO(2)(111) and (100) surfaces exhibit visible light-induced topographic and spectral changes corresponding to the light wavelength. A certain amount of adsorbed water on the surface is essential for the changes. The photoinduced behaviors strongly depend on the amount of the adsorbed water and on interparticle spacing, indicating that ionic conductivity on the TiO(2) surface is a key factor. The results obtained here are rationally explained in terms of a photoelectrochemical mechanism in which photoanodic dissolution of Ag nanoparticles to Ag(+) and cathodic re-deposition of Ag play essential roles.


Comparison of two techniques for quantifying environmental contaminants in human serum.
Peak area matching and linear regression were used to quantify eight chlorinated pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (as Aroclor 1260) in human serum. There are no statistically significant differences in data obtained by these two quantifying techniques which were indicated by the paired t-test. For chlorinated pesticides, p = 0.053-0.62, and for polychlorinated biphenyls (as Aroclor 1260), p = 0.64. Analyte residues for the chlorinated pesticides ranged from 0.5 ppb for hexachlorobenzene (HCB) to 186 ppb for dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE). Analyte residues for the polychlorinated biphenyls (as Aroclor 1260) ranged from 5-114 ppb. The absolute mean percent difference between the two quantifying techniques ranged from 0.06% for DDE to 8.06% for dieldrin (HEOD) among the chlorinated pesticides. The absolute mean percent difference between the two quantifying techniques for the polychlorinated biphenyls (as Aroclor 1260) was 3.4%. Peak area matching and linear regression were found to be comparable for quantifying these environmental residues in serum when the following conditions apply: 1) the concentration of the chlorinated pesticides is greater than or equal to 0.5 ppb (e.g., HCB, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCCH), oxychlordane (OC), heptachlor epoxide (HE), transnonachlor (TN), HEOD, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT); 2) the concentration of the chlorinated pesticide is greater than or equal to 3 ppb (e.g., DDE); and 3) the total concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (e.g., as Aroclor 1260) is greater than or equal to 5 ppb.


Lichen planus occurring after hepatitis B vaccination: a new case.
Lichen planus is a pruritic inflammatory dermatosis of unknown origin. An increased prevalence of a wide range of liver disease in lichen planus has been observed by many authors. Most recently, many reports appeared of the occurrence of lichen planus after administration of different types of hepatitis B vaccines. We report one case and briefly review this intriguing observation.


Emergency physicians and biological terrorism.
Recent developments, such as the bombings of the World Trade Center in 1993 and the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995, the sarin attacks in Tokyo and Matsumoto, Japan, and US Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, have heightened fears of terrorist attacks. Future terrorist activities will continue to involve bombs and firearms, but may also include weapons of mass destruction, including biological agents. Recent US government initiatives have recognized the threats to our country from these weapons and have funded planning and response programs. These preparedness programs are being built on existing infrastructure of EMS and fire services' plans for hazardous materials response. Appropriate emergency department and hospital response, guided by public health principles, could significantly limit the morbidity and mortality of biological warfare agents. Inappropriate response by the medical community may worsen a chaotic and potentially devastating situation. This article discusses planning and response issues central to a potential bioterrorism event.


A novel mutation in JARID1C gene associated with mental retardation.
X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) is an extremely heterogeneous condition that account for 15-25% of all mentally retarded patients. The number of genes newly reported in relation with this condition has been rapidly increased in the past years. One of the latest is called Jumonji AT-rich interactive domain 1C (JARID1C). This gene encodes for a member of a recently discovered protein family that harbours DNA-binding motifs, suggesting a possible role in transcriptional regulation and in the modification of chromatin structure. In this work we describe the results obtained by screening JARID1C gene in 24 mentally retarded males with history of at least two affected males. Remarkably, we have found a novel missense mutation in exon 10 of the gene that results in a Serine-to-arginine change at amino-acid 451 (S451R). This nucleotide change appears to be restricted to mentally retarded patients, since it has not been detected in control samples. Familial analysis has confirmed the segregation of this mutation with mental retardation. Furthermore, sequence alignment analysis with the different members of the human JARID1 family and with homologous proteins of mouse and fruit fly has revealed that the affected amino acid is conserved. Our data highlights the importance of reporting mutations in this gene since it might support the recent findings that implicates JARID1C with XLMR.


Life-history consequences of egg size in Drosophila melanogaster.
We used a novel approach to study the effects of egg size on offspring fitness components in Drosophila melanogaster. Populations that differed genetically in egg size were crossed, and the female offspring from these reciprocal crosses were examined for life-history traits. These flies expressed effects of egg size, because they developed from eggs of different sizes as a result of maternal genetic effects, but displayed an equivalent range of nuclear genetic variation. The crosses used four independent pairs of outbred populations that differed in the pattern of covariation between egg size and life-history traits, so that the maternal genetic effects of egg size on offspring characters could be contrasted to the associations present among the parental populations. Egg size showed positive maternal genetic effects on embryonic viability and development rate, hatchling weight and feeding rate, and egg-larva and egg-adult development rate but no consistent effects on larval competitive ability, adult weight, or egg size in the offspring. Our method revealed a pattern of causality that could not be deduced from interpopulation comparisons and therefore provides a good way of disentangling the causes and consequences of variation in egg size while controlling for zygotic genetic effects.


Inter-hospital communications and transport: turning one-way funnels into two-way networks.
The Inter-hospital Communications and Transport workgroup was charged with exploring the current status, barriers, and data necessary to optimize the initial destination and subsequent transfer of patients between and among acute care settings. The subtitle, "Turning Funnels Into Two-way Networks," is descriptive of the approach that the workgroup took by exploring how and when smaller facilities in suburban, rural, and frontier areas can contribute to the daily business of caring for emergency patients across the lower-acuity spectrum-in some instances with consultant support from academic medical centers. It also focused on the need to identify high-acuity patients and expedite triage and transfer of those patients to facilities with specialty resources. Draft research recommendations were developed through an iterative writing process and presented to a breakout session of Academic Emergency Medicine's 2010 consensus conference, "Beyond Regionalization: Integrated Networks of Emergency Care." Priority research areas were determined by informal consensus of the breakout group. A subsequent iterative writing process was undertaken to complete this article. A number of broad research questions are presented.


Real-time aeration efficiency monitoring in the activated sludge process and methods to reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
Aeration is the most energy intensive unit operation in municipal wastewater treatment, and fine-pore diffusers have been widely used to minimize power consumption. Unfortunately, fine-pore diffusers suffer from fouling and scaling problems, which cause a rapid decline in aeration performance and significant increase in power consumption. Diffusers must be cleaned periodically to reduce energy costs. The cleaning frequency of diffusers is site-specific and its effectiveness can be evaluated with oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE) testing. Off-gas testing is the best technique for measuring OTE in real-time. Fine-pore diffusers have low a factors that are further reduced at high loading rate. A time-series of off-gas measurements were conducted to demonstrate the value of real-time OTE data for developing energy-conserving operating strategies. The observations confirm the inverse correlation between OTE and airflow rate as well as the economic benefits of diffuser cleaning. In addition, mathematic models were applied to simulate the transient oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and show the impact of varying load on OTE and aeration cost, especially when faced with time-of-day power rates. Regular diffuser cleaning can reduce average power costs by 18% and various equalization alternatives can reduce power costs by 6 to 16%.


Vaccines against Francisella tularensis.
Francisella tularensis is one of the most pathogenic pathogens known, especially when disseminated as a small particle aerosol. Because of this, it was developed into a biological warfare agent by several states during the 20th century. Nowadays, concerns remain about the potential of this pathogen to cause widespread disease, tularemia, in the hands of terrorists. This has resurrected interest in methods to combat it. This article reviews the current status of vaccine development efforts against tularemia. To date most of our understanding of tularemia vaccine efficacy has been derived from the clinical and experimental use of a pragmatically attenuated live vaccine strain of F. tularensis subspecies holarctica. However, this vaccine which has been in existence for more than 50 years is still beset by regulatory issues that continue to hamper its licensure. These issues and possible solutions are highlighted, along with more modern molecular approaches to vaccine development against this highly virulent pathogen.


Surgical and pathogenetic considerations of frontal sinus fungus ball.
Fungus ball (FB) is an non-invasive form of mycosis, that generally affects immunocompetent and non-atopic subjects. Involvement of the frontal sinus is extremely rare. We report two cases with frontal sinus fungus ball that underwent endoscopic endonasal frontal Draf type IIb or III sinusotomy with complete removal of the cheesy clay-like material. There were no intra-operative or postoperative complications, and no recurrence of disease was evident during the follow-up of 51 and 26 months, respectively. The Draf type IIb or type III frontal sinusotomy seems to be highly effective for the treatment of frontal sinus FB and can represent a valid alternative to the traditional external approaches.


Cardiovascular abnormalities in the oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (Goldenhar syndrome).
We describe the phenotypic characteristics of 25 individuals with oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS) and its variants, seen in Northern Ireland between 1969-1989, with special reference to cardiovascular defects. We report the type and prevalence of cardiovascular findings and also estimate the minimum prevalence rate of OAVS to be 1 in 45,000.


Purification and characterization of a GDP-fucose:polypeptide fucosyltransferase from Chinese hamster ovary cells.
A GDP-fucose:polypeptide fucosyltransferase was purified 5000-fold to homogeneity from Chinese hamster ovary cell extracts in the absence of detergent. The purification procedure included two affinity chromatographic steps using the acceptor substrate, a recombinant factor VII EGF-1 domain, and the donor substrate analog, GDP-hexanolamine, as ligands. The purified enzyme migrates as a single band of 44,000 daltons on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and is itself a glycoprotein with more than one high mannose type oligosaccharide chain with a total molecular weight of 4000. The Km values for factor VII EGF-1 domain and GDP-fucose are 15 and 6 microM, respectively. The Vmax is 2.5 micromol.min-1.mg-1. The presence of 50 mM Mn2+ increased the enzyme activity 17-fold, but Mn2+ was not absolutely required, since the enzyme exhibited some activity even in the presence of EDTA. The acceptor substrate specificity was studied using site-directed mutagenesis of human factor IX EGF domain. Only one of several differently folded species could serve as acceptor substrate, although they all had the same molecular weight as determined by liquid chromatography on-line with mass spectrometry. This indicates that the enzyme requires proper folding of the epidermal growth factor domain for its activity.


Awareness of cardiac function in anxious, phobic and hypochondriacal patients.
Awareness of pulse rate was tested in 60 psychiatric out-patients with anxiety, phobic or hypochondriacal neuroses by asking them to record how fast their hearts were beating during exposure to short film sequences. Correlations between subjective and objective heart rate (ECG) were significantly higher in anxious and hypochondriacal patients than in phobic ones. The results suggest that somatic symptoms in hypochondriacal and anxiety neurosis reflect increased awareness of bodily function.


Irreversible behavioural impairment of fish starts early: Embryonic exposure to ocean acidification.
Long-term species responses to ocean acidification depend on their sensitivity during different life stages. We tested for sensitivity of juvenile fish behaviour to ocean acidification by exposing eggs to control and elevated CO2 levels, and translocating offspring between treatments in a reciprocal design. After 12 weeks of exposure, activity, inactivity and anxiety levels of juveniles from control eggs were similar, whether juveniles had experienced elevated CO2 conditions or not, and this pattern was consistent over time. However, juveniles raised as eggs under elevated CO2 showed increased anxiety levels compared to those from control eggs. This response was not reversed when CO2-exposed juveniles were translocated to control conditions. Our findings highlight the value of evaluating fish sensitivities to global change pollutants across different life stages, and indicate that sensitivity during the often-overlooked egg stage can be critical with long-lasting impairment of behaviours that are coupled to individual fitness and population persistence.


Inhibition of PCSK9: a novel approach for the treatment of dyslipidemia.
Hypercholesterolemia is a key risk factor for atherosclerosis. Because of its role in controlling serum levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) through the regulation of hepatic LDL-receptors, the recently discovered proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 9 (PCSK9) is a promising pharmacological target. This review aims to discuss the impact of natural mutations in the PCSK9 gene on cholesterol metabolism and thus coronary artery disease, as well as molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for PCSK9 inhibition. We summarize data from recent clinical trials using fully humanized monoclonal antibodies, showing that PCSK9 inhibition results in a significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol in high-risk cardiovascular patients. Future studies will have to address the long-term safety and efficacy as well as the impact of PCSK9-targeting therapies on cardiovascular outcomes.


[The trap of addiction--reflections on the substitute of happiness].
This essay is a set of concepts concerning human nature with its intrinsic move towards happiness and positive balance of feelings. One of the methods of obtaining pleasure is the use of psychoactive substances. This infallible method becomes a trap. The aim of our work was to present the reader how significant the positive emotions and the ways of obtaining them in our every day life are. In our world of mind and knowledge we often depreciate the role of positive emotions. Suddenly, being embedded in crisis, we seek the easiest way to get the positive state back. This paper presents various models of addiction with the emphasis of the psychosocial model. Self-sustaining vicious circle mechanisms disintegrate slowly every single sphere of ones personality. The social functioning of the individual is also influenced by the addiction. The authors emphasize the disadvantageous influence of social and civilization changes on the decrease in the amount of positive emotions experienced by the individuals accompanied by the simultaneous increase in "academic intelligence" in developed societies. To describe that phenomenon the authors propose the concept of "civilization cross".


Diamorphine for pain relief in labour : a randomised controlled trial comparing intramuscular injection and patient-controlled analgesia.
To compare the efficacy of diamorphine administered by a patient-controlled pump (patient-controlled analgesia) with intramuscular administration for pain relief in labour. Randomised controlled trial. The South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust. Primigravidae and multigravidae in labour at term (37-42 weeks). Women were randomised in labour to the study (patient-controlled analgesia) or control group (intramuscular). Randomisation was achieved through a random permuted block design stratified by parity. Study group women were given a loading dose of 1.2 mg diamorphine intravenously and then attached to the pump. Control group women received intramuscular diamorphine as per hospital protocol. Participants were also given 3 mg of buccal Stemetil. Data were collected throughout labour and at six postnatal weeks. Analgesia requirements during labour and women's satisfaction with the method of pain relief. Women in the study group (patient-controlled analgesia) used significantly less diamorphine than women in the control group (intramuscular) but were significantly more likely to state that they were very dissatisfied with their use of diamorphine and were significantly more likely to opt out of the trial before the birth of the baby. The majority of women in both groups used other analgesia concurrent with diamorphine such as Entonox, aromatherapy or TENS. Patient-controlled analgesia administration of diamorphine for the relief of pain in labour offers no significant advantages over intramuscular administration. The results also suggest that diamorphine is a poor analgesic for labour pain irrespective of the mode of administration.


Modification to a commercial immunoradiometric assay permitting intraoperative monitoring of parathyroid hormone levels.
We describe a modification to a commercially available immunoradiometric assay which reduces the turnaround time for parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurement to 1 h and permits intraoperative monitoring during parathyroidectomy. Alterations in PTH concentrations following removal of parathyroid tissue are compared with those of calcium, ionised calcium and phosphate. PTH measurements obtained intraoperatively permit definitive conclusions about the success of the operation within 1 h of sampling, allowing re-exploitation of the gland to take place immediately if necessary.


Quantitative determination of the calcium channel antagonists amlodipine, lercanidipine, nitrendipine, felodipine, and lacidipine in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method has been developed and validated for the quantification of the five 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists amlodipine, lercanidipine, nitrendipine, felodipine, and lacidipine in human plasma. Sample preparation involved solid-phase extraction on RP-C18 cartridges with good recovery for all the compounds. Sample analysis was performed on a Luna RP-C18 analytical column (15 mm x 2 mm ID, 3.0 microm) with a Sciex API 365 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with turboionspray source and multiple reaction monitoring. The method is sensitive with a limit of detection below 1 ng/mL for each drug in plasma, with good linearity (r(2) > 0.998), over the therapeutic concentration range (1 to 40 ng/mL). All the validation data, such as accuracy, precision, and interday repeatability, were within the required limits. The method can be used for pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring of the compounds in humans.


Diffusion of actin filaments within a thin layer between two walls.
Diffusion of the protein filaments F -actin confined in a thin layer between two walls is studied using the methods of single filament fluorescence imaging and particle tracking. The translational and rotational diffusion coefficients are measured for F -actin of lengths in the range of 1.5-5 microm. The length dependence of the measured diffusion coefficients is consistent with the predicted two-dimensional projection of the diffusion of a cylinder in an unbounded fluid. Fits based on the formulas for diffusion in the bulk fluid yield higher apparent viscosity values than that of the buffer solution by a factor of 2 for a layer thickness between 0.7 and 1.6 microm. We show that the measured results can be accounted for by correction based on the hydrodynamic theory of a long cylinder between confining walls.


Biomimetic hydrogel for rapid and scar-free healing of skin wounds inspired by the healing process of oral mucosa.
Inspired by the wound healing characteristics of the oral mucosa, a biomimetic hydrogel was prepared to realize the rapid and scar-free healing of skin wounds. Through monitoring the healing process of injured oral mucosa, we find out that the combination of high, rapid and sequential expression of some growth factors and the sterile-moist microenvironment are crucial for re-epithelialization and precise control of the inflammation process. On the base of our findings, a hydrogel loaded with several functional compounds was prepared to achieve a comprehensive simulation of the oral mucosal trauma microenvironment for skin wound healing. After 7 days treatment, the skin wound area of the treated group was only about 20% of that of the untreated group, and the proportion of collagen type III and type I in the treated group was much higher than that of the untreated group, suggesting lighter scar hyperplasia. The comprehensive treatment strategy of sequential expression of growth factors in combination with maintaining of a sterile and humid environment is expected to have great application prospect in the field of chronic trauma repair and cosmetic surgery. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Long healing time and scar hyperplasia during wound healing have been a serious problem in the past decades of wound healing research. Oral cavity wound healing occurs in an environment that sustains ongoing physical trauma and is rich in bacteria. Despite this, injuries to the mucosal surface often heal faster than cutaneous wounds and leave less noticeable scars. Therefore, in recent years, many scholars have begun to study the healing mechanism of oral mucosa, which supports a new inspiration for the study of skin wound repair: whether the injured skin can achieve a rapid scar-free healing effect similar to oral mucosa? Imitating the biological process of oral mucosa wound healing would be a promising therapeutic strategy in wound healing. Therefore, inspired by the wound healing characteristics of the oral mucosa, a biomimetic gel was prepared to realize the rapid and scar-free healing of skin wounds. Through monitoring the healing process of injured oral mucosa, the combination of high, rapid and sequential expression of some growth factors and sterile-moist microenvironment was crucial for re-epithelialization and precise control of the inflammation process. The comprehensive treatment strategy of sequential expression of growth factors in combination with maintance of a sterile and humid environment implies its potential use in the field of chronic trauma repair and cosmetic surgery.


The influence of tumor immunity suppressors on the effector stage of human and animal lymphokine-activated killer cells.
Spleen cells of tumor-bearing mice suppressed the cytolytic activity of syngeneic LAK cells when added to the mixture of LAK cells and target cells at the beginning of the cytotoxicity test. Spleen cells of MC 14 tumor-bearing mice acquired the suppressor potential as early as 10 days after tumor transplantation; the suppressor activity in the EL 4 and X63-Ag8.653 tumor-bearing animals was first revealed at the 30th day and manifested itself up to the 120th day. The suppressor activity was expressed in a dose-dependent manner, both by unfractionated spleen cells and nylon wool-passed and plastic-adherent sub-populations. Similar results were obtained during the analysis of anti-tumor immunity suppressors in bladder cancer patients. MNC, nylon wool-passed and plastic-adherent cells of patients with stages I-II disease suppressed the cytotoxicity of autologous LAK cells in 2/6 cases; all patients [4] with III-IV stage possessed such suppressor activity. Presumably, the tumor growth induces the activity of suppressor T cells and monocytes/macrophages. The suppressor activity can interfere with the antitumor effect of autologous (syngeneic) LAK cells at the effector stage.


Disposable and reusable trocars.
A wide variety of disposable and reusable trocars have been designed and marketed for use in laparoscopic surgery. The performance of these instruments varies considerably. Disposable trocars usually contain valve designs which allow the easy passage of instrumentation and safety mechanisms which reduce the likelihood of visceral injury from the trocar point. Whilst most reusable trocars have not provided safety mechanisms, and have been less user-friendly, newer designs are beginning to bridge the gap. The choice of a trocar for laparoscopic surgery will depend on each surgeon's perception of the advantages and disadvantages of competing instrumentation, which may need to be balanced against the budgetary requirements of their practice location.


Extent of surgery for pelvic inflammatory disease in relation to duration of intrauterine device use.
The risk of a first episode of pelvic inflammatory disease resulting in extensive surgery was examined in relation to duration of intrauterine device (IUD) use in a case-control study. Extensive surgery for pelvic inflammatory disease was defined as hysterectomy or bilateral adenexal surgery, with pelvic inflammatory disease as the only gynecologic discharge diagnosis. Of 690 hospitalized pelvic inflammatory disease patients with no prior history of the disease, 55 had extensive (requiring surgery) disease. These were compared to 2569 controls who were hospitalized with nongynecologic conditions. Current IUD users (within 30 days of admission) were considered to be long-term or short-term users, depending upon whether the same IUD had been used for five or more years or less than five years. Past IUD users and never-users were considered to be nonusers. For long-term users as compared to nonusers, the relative risk of extensive pelvic inflammatory disease was about 5.4; for short-term users as compared to nonusers, the relative risk was only about 1.4. Continuous use of the same IUD for five or more years appears to increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, requiring extensive surgery to a greater extent than use for less than five years.


Acute autologous bone flap infection after cranioplasty for postinjury decompressive craniectomy.
Acute bone flap infection is a devastating complication after cranioplasty for postinjury decompressive craniectomy. We aim to identify the risk factors of autologous bone flap infection. We enrolled 151 patients undergoing 153 cranioplasties in the 4-year retrospective study. Autologous bones stored at -75°C were used in the cranioplasties. Acute bone flap infection was defined as the onset of infection ≤14 days after cranioplasty. The epidemiological data of patients and details of the cranioplasty procedure were recorded. Acute bone flap infection was identified in five of the 153 cranioplasties, accounting for 3.3% of all episodes. Three of the 5 infected patients and five of 143 uninfected patients presented with dysfunction of subgaleal drainage comparatively, which was significantly different (p=0.001). Statistical analysis of the cranioplasty procedures and subsequent results of the two patient groups revealed the following significant findings: the duration of operation (p=0.03) and the length of hospital stay after cranioplasty (p<0.001). Dysfunction of subgaleal drainage and long operative duration of cranioplasty are risk factors of acute autologous bone flap infection. Regarding the prolonged hospital stay in complicated patients, better surgical techniques should be implemented in order to eliminate the risks of infection.


[Microbiologic basis of diagnosis and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease].
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is caused by a large spectrum of micro-organisms. However, the microbiological cause is unknown in approximately half of cases according to varying series. In the context of sexually transmitted disease (STD), the most frequently identified microorganisms causing PID are Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium. In such cases, bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis are frequently associated. In case of complicated PID or when PID is the consequence of delivery, abortion, intra-uterine procedure, bacteria that come from vaginal carriage may be encountered: Enterobacteriacae, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., anaerobes. Mycopslama hominis as well as Ureaplasma urealyticum may also be found in this context. The microbiological diagnosis may be performed on samples of vaginal liquid, endocervix or, when available, surgical specimens. The microbiological diagnostic procedures that are used to identify these microrgansims are reviewed. Vaginal sampling may help to identify N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis and M. genitalium using nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), and is also of interest because of the epidemiological association of PID to bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. Samples from the endocervix, and if available, from endometrial biopsy surgical procedures, should be processed to detect N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis and M. genitalium using NAAT, and to search for the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (antibiogram should be performed), facultative anaerobes, anaerobes and capnophilic bacteria. The antibiotic treatment should at least cover N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis and M. genitalium, and for most of the authors, anaerobes. In case, microbiological studies demonstrate the role of other bacteria (e.g., Enterobacteriacae), theses should be treated according to the results of antibiogram.


[False pulmonary metastases. Apropos of 8 cases].
The authors report the cases of 8 patients who had been, or were being, treated for pharyngo-laryngeal carcinoma (n = 7) or cancer of the bladder (n = 1). Because of the finding of one or several peripheral pulmonary opacities, these patients underwent exploratory thoracotomy which showed that these opacities corresponded to benign lesions instead of metastases of these cancers. This leads to a reappraisal of the diagnostic approach of pulmonary opacities in patients with known cancer, since benign lesions unrelated to the malignancy cannot be excluded. The need for an accurate diagnosis of these intrapulmonary lesions is emphasized, using various exploratory methods including thoracotomy if required.


Induction of labor in women with oligohydramnios.
To prospectively evaluate the outcome of labor induction in women with oligohydramnios at term. This was a prospective case-control study which included 120 consecutive patients with Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) < or =5 undergoing labor induction. One hundred and sixteen patients with normal amniotic fluid matched for gestational age (+/- 3 days) and Bishop-score served as controls. Inclusion criteria were: requirement of labor induction, singleton pregnancy, nulliparity, Bishop score <5, gestational age > or =266. Preinduction treatment included the use of up to 3 successive doses of dinoprostone intracervical gel (0.5 mg). Vaginal dinoprostone (2 mg) and/or oxytocin were then applied to induction labor, if necessary. The rate of cesarean section in AFI < or = 5 group (38.3%) was not significantly different to that in control group (34.2%). The interval from induction to vaginal delivery was not significantly different for AFI < or =5 group (1499 +/- 895 min.) and control group (1398 +/- 852 min.). The changes in Bishop score evaluated at 6th and 12th hour after dinoprostone were not significantly different in control and AFI< or =5 group. More women in the latter group (11.7% vs 3.3%, Chi Square:4.86, p = 0.027) required the use of drugs in order to manage tachysystole/hyperstimulation allowing a OR = 3.83 (95%C.I. = 1.13-14.27). The length of stay at hospital was 4.2 +/- 1.8 days for AFI < or =5 group and 4.3 +/- 1.3 for control group. Oligohydranmios at term did not influence the outcome of induction of labour in nulliparous women with unfavorable cervix.


On-Road Chemical Transformation as an Important Mechanism of NO2 Formation.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) not only is linked to adverse effects on the respiratory system but also contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Our curbside monitoring data analysis in Detroit, MI, and Atlanta, GA, strongly suggests that a large fraction of NO2 is produced during the "tailpipe-to-road" stage. To substantiate this finding, we designed and carried out a field campaign to measure the same exhaust plumes at the tailpipe-level by a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) and at the on-road level by an electric vehicle-based mobile platform. Furthermore, we employed a turbulent reacting flow model, CTAG, to simulate the on-road chemistry behind a single vehicle. We found that a three-reaction (NO-NO2-O3) system can largely capture the rapid NO to NO2 conversion (with time scale ≈ seconds) observed in the field studies. To distinguish the contributions from different mechanisms to near-road NO2, we clearly defined a set of NO2/NO x ratios at different plume evolution stages, namely tailpipe, on-road, curbside, near-road, and ambient background. Our findings from curbside monitoring, on-road experiments, and simulations imply the on-road oxidation of NO by ambient O3 is a significant, but so far ignored, contributor to curbside and near-road NO2.


Can we avoid surgery in elderly patients with renal masses by using the Charlson comorbidity index?
OBJECTIVE To determine the safety of surveillance for localized contrast-enhancing renal masses in elderly patients whose comorbidities precluded invasive management; to provide an insight into the natural history of small enhancing renal masses; and to aid the clinician in identifying those patients who are most suitable for a non-interventional approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of 26 consecutive patients (16 men and 10 women), who were followed for > or =1 year, with localized solid enhancing renal masses between 1998 and 2006. These patients were unfit or unwilling to undergo radical or partial nephrectomy. None had their tumours surgically removed. Study variables included age, presentation, tumour size, growth rate, Charlson comorbidity index (CMI) and available pathological data. RESULTS The mean (range) patient age was 78.14 (63-89) year, with a mean follow-up of 28.1 (12-72) months. The mean tumour size was 4.25 (2.5-8.7) cm at diagnosis. The tumour growth rate was 0.44 cm/year; among smaller masses (T1a) it was 0.15 cm/year, vs 0.64 cm/year in the larger masses (T1b and T2). The mean CMI was 2.96. There were 11 deaths overall; 10 patients died from unrelated illnesses. One death was directly attributable to metastatic renal cancer; this patient had an initial tumour diameter of 5.4 cm and a CMI of 6. All patients who died had a CMI of > or =3. CONCLUSIONS Elderly patients with small renal tumours (T1a) and comorbidity scores of > or =3 were more likely to die as a result of their comorbidities rather than the renal tumour. Surveillance of small renal masses appears to be a safe alternative in elderly patients who are poor surgical candidates, where the overall growth rate appears to be slow.


Cytologic detection of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in cerebrospinal fluid.
We reviewed our case records to see how often Toxoplasma gondii organisms were identified by cytologic evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). During a 12-year period, 6,090 CSF specimens were examined, and 2 cases (0.03%) showed tachyzoites. Both patients were immunocompromised. One patient underwent lumbar and ventricular taps, and the other underwent only ventricular tap. Organisms were identified in the ventricular specimens but not in the lumbar sample. Both patients were treated, and subsequent ventricular CSF samples were negative. Toxoplasma gondii can be identified by cytologic examination of CSF. Our results confirm prior observations that in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus, tachyzoites are more likely to be found in ventricular rather than lumbar specimens.


Phenytoin induced fatal hepatic injury.
A 61 year old female developed fatal hepatic failure after phenytoin administration. A typical multisystem clinical pattern precedes the manifestations of hepatic injury. The hematologic, biochemical and pathologic features indicate a mixed hepatocellular damage due to drug hypersensitivity. In a patient receiving phenytoin who presents a viral-like illness, early recognition and discontinuation of the drug are mandatory.


Ocular effects in normal rabbits of topically applied labetalol: a combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic antagonist.
The ocular effects in rabbits of topically applied labetalol hydrochloride, a new alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, were studied. A dose-related reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) followed treatment with 0.01% to 1% solutions. Labetalol at a 1% concentration had no effect on pupil diameter. The same dose blocked an increase in IOP after water loading but did not significantly alter the coefficient of aqueous outflow facility. Mydriasis induced by phenylephrine hydrochloride was competitively inhibited.


Black-and-white fringes and the colors of caustics.
Fine-scale interference fringes that decorate caustics produced with white light appear black and white with high contrast. This is surprising, as the elementary expectation, supported by theory and computer simulation, is that the fringes should be highly colored. The fringe separation is several arc minutes and therefore close to the resolution limit of the eye. Under magnification (even of a photograph), the colors are revealed. Therefore black-and-white fringes are an illusion, giving a dramatic naked-eye illustration of the fact that the angular resolution of the visual system is better for luminance than for color.


Evidence-based journalism: a forlorn hope?
Media outlets have as much responsibility as ever to maintain standards.


TGF-β signaling in gingival fibroblast-epithelial interaction.
The underlying mechanism and the therapeutic regimen for the transition of reversible gingivitis to irreversible periodontitis are unclear. Since transforming growth factor (TGF)-β has been implicated in differentially regulated gene expression in gingival fibroblasts, we hypothesized that TGF-β signaling is activated in periodontitis-affected gingiva, along with enhanced collagen degradation, that is reversed by TGF-β inhibition. A novel three-dimensional (3D) gel-culture system consisting of primary human gingival fibroblasts (GF) and gingival epithelial (GE) cells in collagen gels was applied. GF populations from patients with severe periodontitis degraded collagen gels, which was reduced by TGF-β-receptor kinase inhibition. Up-regulation of TGF-β-responsive genes was evident in GF/GE co-cultures. Furthermore, the TGF-β downstream transducer Smad3C was highly phosphorylated in periodontitis-affected gingiva and 3D cultures. These results imply that TGF-β signaling is involved in fibroblast-epithelial cell interaction in periodontitis, and suggest that the 3D culture system is a useful in vitro model for therapeutic drug screening for periodontitis.


[Advances in the diagnosis and therapy of bone tumors with special reference to modern surgical possibilities].
Progress in the diagnosis of bone tumors is primarily to be seen in the possibilities of exact radiological demonstration, the differentiation of morphological characteristics of tumor growthdynamics (tumor vessels) and in the possibilities of modern nuclear methods, which provide preoperative information on the metabolism of the tumor. Remarkable progress could be achieved regarding therapy especially with surgical measures, as combined osteosynthesis and alloplastic, as well as in the development of improved materials for implantation (metal, plastic, cement) and improvement of implantation itself. The implantation of extensive amounts of foreign material in the modern ultrasterile operating rooms with horizontal or vertical flow is today possible with greater safety. In the combination of orthopaedic surgery and cytostatic and immunotherapy there exist today greater chances in the treatment of malignant bone tumors.


Use of vacuum-assisted wound closure in three chronic wounds.
Vacuum-assisted wound closure has been reported to promote the healing of chronic wounds by increasing the vascularity and oxygenation of the wound bed, maintaining a moist environment, and removing exudate through negative pressure. The results of vacuum-assisted wound closure for 3 patients with chronic wounds are presented.


Advances in DNA electrophoresis in polymer solutions.
DNA electrophoresis in gels and solutions of agarose and polyacrylamide was objectively evaluated with regard to separation efficiency at optimal polymer concentrations. In application to DNA fragments, polyacrylamide gels were superior for separating fragments of less than 7800 bp, and agarose gels are the best choice for larger fragments. Agarose solutions are nearly as good as polyacrylamide gels for small DNA (< 300 bp). Agarose solutions have a higher efficiency than polyacrylamide solutions for DNA of less than 1200 bp. Separation efficiency sharply decreases with increasing length of DNA. Retardation in polyacrylamide solutions was found to depend on polymer length in a biphasic fashion. The choice of resolving polymer concentrations depends on the progressive stretching of DNA in proportion to polymer concentration. The rate of that stretching appears higher in polyacrylmide solution than in gels or in liquid or gelled agarose. Application of polymer solutions to capillary electrophoresis raises further problems concerning agarose plugs, DNA interactions with the polymers, operation at low field strength and long durations as well as detection sensitivity.


beta-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a blood platelet antioxidant.
Blood platelets in addition to their haemostatic role can function as inflammatory cells. The aim of our study was to assess if beta-D-glucan, the natural, very strong biological response modifier, may protect platelet proteins and lipids against oxidative/nitrative damages. The antioxidative activity of the beta-D-glucan, a known immunomodulator derived from the yeast cell walls of species such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on blood platelets treated with oxidants-peroxynitrite and hydroperoxide-was studied in vitro. The levels of different specific markers of oxidative stress, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl groups and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) were measured. Our studies showed that beta-glucan possesses significant defence properties against peroxynitrite or hydroperoxide induced lipid peroxidation. The level of TBARS was decreased by 80% at the highest dose of beta-glucan. In the presence of beta-glucan the distinct reduction of platelet protein oxidation was observed; the level of carbonyl groups was decreased by 50%. The results indicate that beta-glucan may also be effective in the protection against the nitrative action of peroxynitrite on platelet proteins, as in the presence of beta-glucan the level of 3-nitrotyrosine, measured by a competition-ELISA method, was diminished. The obtained in vitro results demonstrate that antiplatelet activity of beta-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is dependent on its antioxidative properties, and therefore beta-glucan supplementation may be beneficial in the prevention of excessive blood platelet activation-related diseases, such as cardiovascular or inflammatory diseases.


Ion permeability of rabbit intestinal brush border membrane vesicles.
The ion permeability of rabbit jejunal brush border membrane vesicles was studied by measuring unidirectional fluxes with radioactive tracers and bi-ionic diffusion potentials with the potential-sensitive fluorescent dye, diS-C3-(5). Tracer measurements provide estimates of the absolute magnitudes of permeability coefficients, while fluorescence measurements provide estimates of relative and absolute ion permeabilities. The magnitudes of the permeability coefficients for Na+, K+, Rb+, and Br- were approximately 5 nanoliters/(mg protein X sec) or 10(-5) cm/sec as determined by radioactive tracer measurements. The apparent selectivity sequence, relative to Na+, as determined by bi-ionic potential measurements was: F-, isethionate, gluconate, choline (less than 0.1) less than Na+(1.0) less than Cl-(1.5) = NO-3(1.5) less than Br-(2.3) less than K+(2.4) less than Rb+(2.5) less than Cs+(2.6) less than Li+(3.9) less than NH+4(12) less than I-(40). The origin of this selectivity sequence and its relationship to the ion permeability of the brush border membrane in the intact epithelium are discussed.


Heterogeneity of the histological features along the course of the facial vein of the desert camel (Camelus dromedarius): relevance to brain cooling.
Sections from different parts along the facial vein of the camel (Camelus dromedarius) were examined by light microscopy. The results demonstrated heterogeneity among the various segments. Particular attention was paid to a specific area in the buccal region which was previously shown by physiological experiments to have a temperature-dependent myogenic tone. The morphology of that area showed highly thickened media with prominent bands of circularly disposed smooth muscles infiltrating both the intima and the adventitia. The morphology described in this study correlates well with the function and gives further credence to the proposed role of the facial vein in cranial thermoregulation particularly under heat stress.


Acute changes in free-fatty acids (FFA) do not alter serum leptin levels.
Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is a recently discovered hormone secreted by adipocytes. Serum leptin concentrations increase in correlation with the percentage of body fat, but besides that little is known about the physiological actions of leptin in humans. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of changes in circulating free-fatty acids on serum leptin levels. Increases in plasma FFA levels (p < 0.02) were obtained in a group of normal subjects following the administration of intralipid plus heparin (250 ml 10% Intralipid plus 5000 U heparin). FFA reduction was achieved through the administration of acipimox (250 mg, orally, at 0 min and at 210 min), a lipid-lowering drug devoid of side effects, to a group of normal (p < 0.02) and obese subjects (p < 0.05). An increase in circulating FFA levels in normal subjects (n = 6), following administration of a lipid-heparin infusion, failed to modify plasma leptin levels as assessed by the area under the curve (AUC; mean +/- SE 892 +/- 168 for placebo vs 896 +/- 260 following intralipid plus heparin). Similarly, whereas acipimox pretreatment induced a reduction in FFA levels compared to placebo in normal (n = 6) and obese subjects (n = 8), it also failed to modify plasma leptin levels at any time-point studied. The results indicate that short-term reduction or increase in circulating FFA are not associated to changes in plasma leptin levels.


Energy dependence of W for alpha particles in N2, CO2, CH4, Ar, H2 and Rossi-type tissue-equivalent gases.
Average energy required to form an ion pair (W) was determined in N2, CO2, CH4, Ar, H2 and Rossi-type tissue-equivalent gas. Alpha particles from a 241Am source were used. W was determined at alpha energies of 5.37, 3.12, 1.08 and 0.46 MeV. The ratio of total ionisation produced (for fixed alpha particle energy) in experimental gas to that produced in argon was measured. This ratio was then multiplied by the previously determined W value for argon gas (26.29 eV per ion pair) to yield W for various experimental gases. Energy of the 241Am alpha particles was degraded by using air as an absorbing material. Empirical relations W = alpha + betaE-1/2 and W = alpha1 + beta1E-1 were fitted to the experimental data. Both functions fit reasonably well in the range 0.4--5.37 MeV. Below about 0.4 MeV the first function provides a better fit to the data of Boring et al. (1965).


Humoral agent from calf lung producing pulmonary arterial vasoconstriction.
Saline washings obtained in vivo from the lung of young calves produce pulmonary hypertension upon intrayascular (systemic or pulmonary) injection into either the dog or the calf. This pulmonary hypertension is produced by vasoconstriction of small, precapillary pulmonary vessels. The active agent, pulmonary arterial constrictor substance, differs chemically and physiologically from other substances which have been investigated with respect to vasomotor activity in the pulmonary circulation. Although the chemical nature of the active agent is not known it appears to have a relatively large molecular weight. Whether this agent plays a role in the physiological regulation of the pulmonary circulation is not known.


Inflammation markers are associated with metabolic syndrome and ventricular arrhythmia in patients with coronary artery disease.
Inflammation plays a major role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). Inflammation markers, including white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), are widely used for cardiovascular risk prediction. The aim of the study was to establish factors associated with WBC, CRP and IL-6 in patients with CAD. Two functional polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes participating in adenosine metabolism were analyzed (C34T AMPD1, G22A ADA). Plasma concentrations of IL-6 were measured using high-sensitivity ELISA kits, and the nephelometric method was used for high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) measurement in 167 CAD patients. Presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components, presence of heart failure, severity of CAD symptoms, severe past ventricular arrhythmia (sustained ventricular tachycardia [sVT] or ventricular fibrillation [VF]), lower left ventricle ejection fraction, higher left ventricle mass index, higher end-diastolic volume and higher number of smoking pack-years were significantly associated with higher WBC, CRP and IL-6. Strong associations with arrhythmia were observed for IL-6 (median 3.90 vs 1.89 pg/mL, p<0.00001) and CRP concentration (6.32 vs 1.47 mg/L, p=0.00009), while MS was associated most strongly with IL-6. CRP and IL-6 were independent markers discriminating patients with sVT or VF. There were no associations between AMPD1 or ADA genotypes and inflammation markers. WBC, CRP and IL-6 are strongly associated with components of the metabolic syndrome. Their strong association with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia emphasizes the proarrhythmic role of inflammation in the increased cardiovascular risk of CAD patients.


Little effect of physical training on body composition and nutritional intake following colorectal surgery--a randomised placebo-controlled trial.
Postoperatively patients have a reduction in nutritional intake and body weight. We studied the effect of postoperative physical training on nutritional intake and body composition. Patients > or =60 y admitted for elective colorectal surgery were randomised to train muscular strength (group A) or to nonstrengthening exercises (group B) for 3 months. Fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) were assessed with bioimpedance preoperatively, 7, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. Nutritional intake was registered in a subpopulation. Of 119 included patients, 60 were randomised to group A and 59 to B. The changes in LBM at postoperative day 7 were a mean (s.d.) of 0.4 (2.1) kg in group A compared to -0.7 (2.0) kg in B. The difference between groups of 1.2 (0.5) kg at day 7 was statistically significant (P=0.03). At no other time was observed difference between groups in weight, LBM, or FM. The energy and protein intake rose during postoperative day 1-7 and rose further after discharge. At no time were differences between groups. Physical training had little effect on body composition following abdominal surgery. The nutritional intake in well-nourished patients did not increase by training.


Toxicity of peroxisomal C27-bile acid intermediates.
Peroxisomes play an important role in bile acid biosynthesis because the last steps of the synthesis pathway are performed by the beta-oxidation system located inside peroxisomes. As a consequence, C(27)-bile acid intermediates accumulate in several peroxisomal disorders. It has been suggested that C(27)-bile acids are especially toxic and contribute to the liver disease associated with peroxisomal disorders. For this reason, we investigated the toxicity of C(27)-bile acids and the underlying mechanisms. We studied the effects of conjugated and unconjugated C(27)-bile acids on cell viability, mitochondrial respiratory chain function and production of oxygen radicals in the rat hepatoma cell line McA-RH7777. Cell viability decreased progressively after incubation with increasing concentrations of different bile acids with dihydroxycholestanoic acid (DHCA) being clearly the most cytotoxic bile acid. In addition, the different bile acids caused a dose-dependent decrease in ATP synthesis by isolated mitochondria oxidizing malate and glutamate. Finally, there was a dose-dependent stimulation of ROS generation in the presence of C(27)-bile acids. In conclusion, our studies showed that C(27)-bile acids are more cytotoxic than mature C(24)-bile acids. In addition, C(27)-bile acids are potent inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation and enhance mitochondrial ROS production by inhibiting the respiratory chain.


Event-Triggered Synchronization Strategy for Multiple Neural Networks With Time Delay.
This paper deals with global exponential synchronization of multiple neural networks (NNs) with time delay via a very broad class of event-triggered coupling, in which coupling matrix can be non-Laplacian. Some simple and convenient sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee global exponential synchronization of the coupling NNs under an event-triggered strategy. In particular, the effect of the common subsystem can be positive or negative on the synchronization scheme. Three examples are presented to test the results in theory analysis.


[Present situation and prospects of artificial heart pumps in Jiangsu University].
Since 1995, four different types of artificial heart pumps and artificial valvo-pumps have been developed in Jiangsu University of China. Three types of heart pumps and valvo-pumps have been applied in animal experiments in University Texas, Medical Branch, USA and in Zhenjiang No.1 People's Hospital of China. The recently-developed UJS-IV pump is a totally implantable trans-ventricular and cross-valvular pump for emergercy treatments.


Chronic musculoskeletal pain, prevalence rates, and sociodemographic associations in a Swedish population study.
To estimate the prevalence of chronic regional and widespread musculoskeletal pain in a sample of the general adult population and study the association to age, sex, socioeconomic class, immigration, and housing area. A cross sectional survey with a postal questionnaire to 3928 inhabitants on the west coast of Sweden. The age and sex adjusted prevalence of chronic regional pain (CRP) was 23.9% and chronic widespread pain (CWP) 11.4% among 2425 subjects who responded to the complete questionnaire. Odds ratio (OR) for CWP showed a systematic increasing gradient with age and was highest in the age group 59-74 yrs (OR 6.36, 95% CI 3.85-10.50) vs age group 20-34 yrs. CWP was also associated with female sex (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.41-2.61), being an immigrant (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.22-2.77), living in a socially compromised housing area (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.48-6.27), and being an assistant nonmanual lower level employee (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.09-3.38) or manual worker (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.65-4.49) vs being an intermediate/higher nonmanual employee. OR for CRP showed a systematic increasing gradient with age and was highest in the age group 59-74 yrs (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.62-3.05) vs age group 20-34 yrs. CRP was also associated with being a manual worker (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.19-2.23) vs being an intermediate/higher nonmanual employee. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is common in the general population. Sociodemographic variables were overall more frequently and strongly associated with CWP than with CRP, which indicates different pathophysiology in the development or preservation of pain in the 2 groups.


A conditional tetracycline-regulated increase in Gamma amino butyric acid production near luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone nerve terminals disrupts estrous cyclicity in the rat.
Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter controlling LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) secretion in the mammalian hypothalamus. Whether alterations in GABA homeostasis within discrete regions of the neuroendocrine brain known to be targets of GABA action, such as the median eminence, can disrupt the ability of the LHRH releasing system to maintain reproductive cyclicity is not known but amenable to experimental scrutiny. The present experiments were undertaken to examine this issue. Immortalized BAS-8.1 astroglial cells were genetically modified by infection with a regulatable retroviral vector to express the gene encoding the GABA synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (GAD-67) under the control of a tetracycline (tet) controlled gene expression system. In this system, expression of the gene of interest is repressed by tet and activated in the absence of the antibiotic. BAS-8.1 cells carrying this regulatory cassette, and cultured in the absence of tet ("GAD on"), expressed abundant levels of GAD-67 messenger RNA and GAD enzymatic activity, and released GABA when challenged with glutamate. All of these responses were inhibited within 24 h of exposure to tet ("GAD off"). Grafting "GAD on" cells into the median eminence of late juvenile female rats, near LHRH nerve terminals, did not affect the age at vaginal opening, but greatly disrupted subsequent estrous cyclicity. These animals exhibiting long periods of persistent estrus, interrupted by occasional days in proestrus and diestrus, suggesting the occurrence of irregular ovulatory episodes. Administration of the tetracycline analog doxycycline (DOXY) in the drinking water inhibited GAD-67synthesis and restored estrous cyclicity to a pattern indistinguishable from that of control rats grafted with native BAS-8.1 cells. Animals carrying "GAD on" cells showed a small increase in serum LH and estradiol levels, and a marked elevation in serum androstenedione, all of which were obliterated by turning GAD-67 synthesis off in the grafted cells. Morphometric analysis of the ovaries revealed that both groups grafted with GABA-producing cells had an increased incidence of large antral follicles (>500 micrometer) compared with animals grafted with native BAS-8.1 cells, but that within this category the incidence of steroidogenically more active follicles (i.e. larger than 600 micrometer) was greater in "GAD on" than in "GAD off" rats. These results indicate that a regionally discrete, temporally controlled increase in GABA availability to LHRH nerve terminals in the median eminence of the hypothalamus suffices to disrupt estrous cyclicity in the rat, and raise the possibility that similar local alterations in GABA homeostasis may contribute to the pathology of hypothalamic amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea in humans.


Effects of parenteral arginine supplementation on the intestinal adaptive response after massive small bowel resection in the rat.
Arginine (ARG) and its metabolic products (polyamines and nitric oxide) are known to affect gut function and protein synthesis in various tissues. The aim was to study the effect of parenteral ARG supplementation on intestinal adaptation and intestinal function in rats after massive small bowel resection (SBR). Fasted rats (275 g) were studied 24 h after 80% SBR. At t = 6 h, t = 12 h, and t = 18 h after SBR, a 300 mM ARG solution (ARG, n = 9), 5 ml/100 g body weight, was given subcutaneously. Controls received iso-osmolaric amounts of NaCl (NaCl, n = 9) or alanine (ALA, n = 8). Twenty-four hours after operation substrate fluxes across the gut were determined together with intestinal protein synthesis, polyamine concentrations in gut tissue, and gut function by testing intestinal permeability using the urinary recovery of lactulose and rhamnose. Intestinal fluxes did not differ among groups, except for an increased production of ornithine and a decreased uptake of glutamine after ARG supplementation. Also, intracellular arginine and ornithine concentrations were higher in the jejunum, accompanied by lower concentrations of other amino acids. Intracellular putrescine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, a breakdown product of putrescine, were higher. However, spermidine and spermine were not. Protein synthesis was lower in the ARG group, while intestinal permeability decreased. Parenteral arginine supplementation in rats with massive SBR leads to a slowing of intestinal adaptation, indicated by reduced glutamine uptake and protein synthesis. The exact mechanism of this inhibitory effect remains to be elucidated. Intestinal permeability, however, benefits from arginine supplementation, possibly related to better enterocyte differentiation.


Reaction of L2Zn2 with Ph2E2--synthesis of LZnEPh and reactions with oxygen and H-acidic substrates.
L2Zn2 (L = HC[C(Me)N(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)]2) and Ph2E2 (E = Se, Te) react to form LZnSePh (1) and LZnTePh (2).1 and 2 further react with H2O and EtOH to form LZnOH (3) and LZnOEt (4), respectively, whereas the reaction of 2 with oxygen yielded [LZnOTe(O)Ph]2 (5). 1, 4 and 5 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.


[Locked posterior shoulder dislocation].
Posterior shoulder dislocations are diagnosed rarely in every-day practice. Although the methods of radiological imaging have been developing and becoming commonly available, the cases of late diagnosis are still happening. Proper clinical examination and properly conducted and interpretated radiographs allow for identification and implementation of appropriate medical procedures. In spite of fact that such cases are identified expectionally rarely, a few types of procedural have been analised and numerous therapeutic methods have been described. The choice of an appropriate treatment is complicated and requires in-depth theoretical knowledge as well as the knowledge of specific conditions within the shoulder surgery. Based on an algorithm, proposed by Griggs, between 2000-2006 seven patients with locked posterior instability were treated, for all of them defect of the proximal humerus did not exceed 30%. In all these cases the goals of improving stability and range of motion were obtained.


Selective action of two aporphines at alpha 1-adrenoceptors and potential-operated Ca2+ channels.
Contractions evoked by noradrenaline (1 microM) or a depolarizing solution of 60 mM KCl were concentration dependently depressed by the aporphine alkaloids (S)-boldine and (R)-apomorphine in rat aorta. Both drugs had a greater inhibitory potency on the contraction elicited by noradrenaline. Dose-response curves for noradrenaline were shifted to the right in presence of (S)-boldine. (R)-Apomorphine acted by a complex mechanism at alpha 1-adrenoceptors and its inhibitory effect was irreversible. The conformational features of these alkaloids may explain their different behaviour at alpha 1-adrenoceptors. In Ca(2+)-free solution, the alkaloids inhibited the contraction evoked by noradrenaline but did not modify (apomorphine) or increase (boldine) the contractile response induced by caffeine. Both alkaloids interacted with [3H]prazosin binding and with the benzothiazepine binding site of the Ca2+ entry receptor complex but had no effect at the dihydropyridine binding site in the rat cerebral cortex. Both drugs showed some selectivity as inhibitors of [3H]prazosin binding as opposed to [3H]d-cis diltiazem binding. (R)-Apomorphine slightly inhibited one of the two forms of the Ca(2+)-independent, low Km cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase (type IV), whereas it did not have a significant effect on the other phosphodiesterase forms. (S)-Boldine had negligible inhibitory effects on all phosphodiesterase forms. The present study provides evidence that (S)-boldine and (R)-apomorphine have interesting properties as Ca2+ entry blockers (through the benzothiazepine receptor site in the Ca2+ channel) and at alpha 1-adrenoceptors.


Impact of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute breakpoint changes on susceptibility rates of cephalosporins in uncomplicated urinary tract infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae.
Breakpoint changes may impact cephalosporin susceptibility rates in uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs). Applying the ≤16-mg/L breakpoint to urine cultures from adult women in an academic health system resulted in cefazolin being the most active uUTI antimicrobial, with 86.9% susceptibility, compared to levofloxacin (80%), nitrofurantoin (76.5%), and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (72.6%).


Retinal and choroidal biometry in highly myopic eyes with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.
Morphologic changes in the retina and choroid are closely related with high myopia-related diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the morphologic characteristics of normal highly myopic eyes. Thirty-one phakic highly myopic eyes with no posterior abnormalities (18 patients; mean +/- SD age, 51.7 +/- 11.4 years) were enrolled. Retinal-choroidal thickness at the fovea 1.5 mm superiorly, inferiorly, nasally, and temporally and the choroidal curvature were measured in the 512 x 128 three-dimensional scan mode with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The degree of posterior staphyloma was determined as the sum of the vertical distance from the retinal pigment epithelial line beneath the fovea to the nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior edge of the image, including the fovea. The association of clinical data with these parameters was evaluated. The mean +/- SD central retinal thickness was 200.9 +/- 39.3 microm. The mean choroidal thickness at the fovea (100.5 +/- 56.9 microm) was significantly different from the temporal (125.4 +/- 59.7 microm), nasal (81.9 +/- 35.0 microm), and superior (129.4 +/- 57.5 microm) thicknesses (P < 0.01). Central retinal thickness did not correlate with age, sex, refractive error, axial length, or central choroidal thickness. Central choroidal thickness was significantly associated with refractive error (P < 0.05) and posterior staphyloma height (P < 0.01). Posterior staphyloma height was significantly correlated with refractive error and axial length (P < 0.01). Stepwise analysis indicated that choroidal thickness correlated significantly with age and posterior staphyloma height (P < 0.01). Posterior staphyloma formation was a key factor in choroidal thinning in highly myopic eyes. Choroidal thickness had a greater effect than retinal thickness in highly myopic eyes.


[Hydration of oocytes in bony fishes].
Data are collected on the hydration of oocytes in bony fishes during maturation stimulated by gonadotropic or steroid hormones in vivo and in vitro. The reasons for hydration, its dynamics, and certain of the mechanisms ensuring income of water and ions into the oocyte are considered.


Prevalence of osteoporosis in Thai men.
Osteoporosis is a growing health problem not only in women but also in men. However, there is a scarcity of epidemiologic data to study osteoporosis in Thai men. To examine the bone mineral density (BMD) and to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis in Thai men. A total of 412 men (159 from Bangkok and 253 from Khon Kaen, respectively) averaging 51 +/- 16 years of age, were measured for BMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (LUNAR Corporation, WI, USA). The peak BMD was observed in men 20-29 years of age at both the femoral neck (mean +/- SD, 1.10 +/- 0.15 g/cm2) and lumbar spine (mean +/- SD, 1.17 +/- 0.13 g/cm2). The prevalence of osteoporosis in the entire group of subjects was 12.6, 4.6 and 3.9 per cent at the femoral neck, lumbar spine and both sites, respectively. The prevalence of osteoporosis increased with advancing age and was significantly higher at the femoral neck in urban men than rural men (18.2 vs 9.2 per cent, p < 0.05) but comparable at the lumbar spine (5.0 vs 4.3 per cent, p = 0.81). The correlation between femoral neck and lumbar spine BMDs was 0.53 (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, increased age, lower weight and lesser height were each associated with lower femoral neck BMD, whereas only lower weight and lesser height were associated with lower lumbar spine BMD. However, when the three factors were entered simultaneously, only increased age and lower weight were significantly associated with lower femoral neck BMD and only lower weight had a significant association with lower lumbar spine BMD. The present study demonstrated descriptive BMD data, normal BMD reference values for diagnosis and reported the prevalence of osteoporosis in Thai men.


Experimental investigations of chaos-assisted tunneling in a microwave annular billiard.
We present detailed investigations of the experimental signatures of chaos-assisted tunneling in the two-dimensional annular billiard, as already summarized in Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 867 (2000). We have performed analog experiments with two-dimensional, electromagnetic resonators allowing for a direct simulation of the corresponding quantum system. Spectra from a superconducting cavity with a high-frequency resolution are combined with electromagnetic intensity distributions of high spatial resolution experimentally determined using a normal conducting twin cavity. Thereby all eigenmodes were obtained with properly identified quantum numbers. Besides distributions of quasi-doublet splittings, which serve as fundamental observables for the tunneling between whispering gallery types of modes, we also focus on the distributions of resonance widths of the doublets. These directly reflect the role of lifetime of certain modes in the tunneling process. Here, as theoretically expected, the class of so-called beach modes is found to play a particular role in mediating between regular and chaotic states to enhance the tunneling strength. This behavior is found in the spectrum and also in the structure of the wave functions.


[Time-lapse microcinematographical analysis of the biological characteristics of a macrophage-like cell line--MMC-1].
By using time-lapse microcinematography, we recorded and conducted an analysis of the macrophage-like cell line MMC-1, including observations of the spreading, polarity, contact inhibition and mitosis common to cultured cells as well as the properties of phagocytosis and rosette formation unique to macrophage. We also found an MMC-1 cell which, after feeding, still stretched its finger-like filopodia towards surrounding red blood cells. The filopodia extended as red blood cells moved towards them. At the point of contact, red blood cell fragments were seen moving towards the cell body along the filopodia; a kind of cytolysis was progressing.


Patterns of operative mortality following esophagectomy.
Esophagectomy has one of the highest mortality rates among all surgical procedures. We investigated the type and frequency of complications associated with perioperative mortality after esophagectomy. We performed a retrospective review of all perioperative deaths following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester from 1993 through 2009. Of 1522 esophagectomies, perioperative mortality occurred in 45 (3.0%). The majority who died were male (82%); median age was 72 years (range 46-92). The median age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity score was 6. Twenty-three (51%) underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The type of esophagectomy was transthoracic in 27 patients (60%), transhiatal in eight (18%), tri-incisional in seven (16%), left thoracoabdominal in one (2%), and transabdominal in one (2%). A mean of 3.2 major complications occurred prior to death (median 2.5, range 1-8), with the most common being pulmonary complications occurring in 30 patients (67%) and anastomotic complications in 20 (44%). The primary underlying cause of death was pulmonary complications and anastomotic complications in 18 patients (40%) each, respectively, abdominal sepsis in three (7%), fatal hemorrhage in three (7%), and pulmonary embolism, stroke and multisystem organ failure in one each (2%), respectively. Patients died a median of 19 days (range 3-98) following esophagectomy. Most patients who died following esophagectomy experienced multiple serious complications rather than a single causative event. Major pulmonary and anastomotic complications were implicated in the vast majority of perioperative mortality, and should remain the focus of efforts to improve clinical outcomes.


[Antigenic determinants of human immunoglobulin light and heavy chain variable regions. Comparison with animal species].
An antigenic analysis of human heavy and light chain variable region subgroups has been done on different animal species, by means of heterologous specific antisera using a hemagglutination-inhibition procedure. Excepted in lemur sera, where Vkappa III and Vlambda III are the only variable antigenic determinants found, all VL antigenic determinants tested were shown to be present in primates. In other mammals (carnivores, some rodents, some artiodactyls) several VL antigenic subgroup determinant were detected while others were not. No VL antigenic determinant was found in other classes studied. The VH III subgroup antigenic determinant was found among all primates, some mammals and avains. The results suggest that there has been more preservation in the variable region of immunoglobulin chains, and particularly VH III chain, than in the constant region of immuoglobulin molecule.


Respiratory toxicity of fabric softener emissions.
To determine whether there is any biological basis for complaints that fabric softener emissions can cause acute adverse effects in certain individuals, screening tests were performed in which groups of mice were exposed to the emissions of 5 commercial fabric softener products (antistatic pads used in laundry dryers) for 90 min. Pneumotachographs and a computerized version of ASTM test method E-981 were used to measure acute changes in several respiratory cycle parameters, especially the pause after inspiration, the pause after expiration, and the midexpiratory airflow velocity. From these changes, sensory irritation (SI), pulmonary irritation (PI), and airflow limitation (AFL) of differing intensities were measured with each of the five brands tested. At the peak effect, SI ranged from 21 to 58% of the breaths, PI ranged from 4 to 23% of the breaths, and AFL ranged from 6 to 32% of the breaths. After three exposures, histopathology revealed mild inflammation of interalveolar septae of the lungs. Gas chromatography/ mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) analysis of the emissions of one pad identified several known irritants (isopropylbenzene, styrene, trimethylbenzene, phenol, and thymol). Laundry that had been dried with one the fabric softener pads emitted sufficient chemicals to elicit SI in 49% of breaths at the peak effect Placing one fabric softener pad in a small room overnight resulted in an atmosphere that caused marked SI (61% of breaths). These results demonstrate that some commercial fabric softeners emit mixtures of chemicals that can cause SI, PI, and reduce midexpiratory airflow velocity in normal mice. The results provide a toxicological basis to explain some of the human complaints of adverse reactions to fabric softener emissions.


Placebo-controlled trial with the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 in peptic ulcer bleeding.
A 5-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in 23 centers with a total of 273 patients [241 evaluable patients; 126 on placebo and 115 on a long-acting somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995, octreotide, Sandostatin)] resulted in no difference in stopping bleeding and preventing rebleeding between placebo (70.6%) and SMS 201-995 (69.6%). Surgery rates, blood transfusion requirements, and time required before bleeding stopped were also not significantly different between the two groups. A retrospective subgroup analysis according to age, sex, localization of the ulcers, severity of the bleeding, and arterial spurting vs. oozing showed homogeneity and did not allow identification of a subgroup that might benefit from treatment with SMS 201-995. The tolerability of SMS 201-995 was very good. No difference was found between placebo and SMS 201-995 with regard to the side-effect profile.


Genomic profiling of invasive melanoma cell lines by array comparative genomic hybridization.
Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive human cancers. Invasion of cells is the first step in metastasis, resulting in cell migration through tissue compartments. We aimed to evaluate genomic alterations specifically associated with the invasive characteristics of melanoma cells. Matrigel invasion assays were used to determine the invasive properties of cell lines that originated from primary melanomas. Array comparative genomic hybridization analyses were carried out to define the chromosome copy number alterations (CNAs). Several recurrent CNAs were identified by array comparative genomic hybridization that affected melanoma-related genes. Invasive primary cell lines showed high frequencies of CNAs, including the loss of 7q and gain of 12q chromosomal regions targeting PTPN12, ADAM22, FZD1, TFPI2, GNG11, COL1A2, SMURF1, VGF, RELN and GLIPR1 genes. Gain of the GDNF (5p13.1), GPAA1, PLEC and SHARPIN (8q24.3) genes was significantly more frequent in invasive cell lines compared with the noninvasive ones. Importantly, copy number gains of these genes were also found in cell lines that originated from metastases, suggesting their role in melanoma metastasis formation. The present study describes genomic differences between invasive and noninvasive melanoma cell lines that may contribute toward the aggressive phenotype of human melanoma cells.


Urinary ascites with pelvic urinoma presenting as ovarian neoplasm: clinical and ultrasonographic features.
The majority of ureteric injuries associated with an operation are the result of gynecologic surgery. Thus, gynecologists must be aware of this risk and appreciate that ureteric injury can present late and in an unusual manner. A 26-year-old woman presented with gross abdominal distention 4 months after total abdominal hysterectomy. Ultrasonography demonstrated a large volume of ascitic fluid and a complex cyst arising from the left ovary. Serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were normal. Laparotomy showed a mass of 1-2-cm cysts (urinomas) on the pelvic peritoneum and tubo-ovarian surfaces and a right hydroureter with a right ureteric fistula at the level of the ureteric tunnel. A ureteroneocystostomy was performed. Ureteroperitoneal fistula with urinary ascites is a rare complication of pelvic surgery. Intravenous urography or computed tomography scan would have helped establish the diagnosis.


Small intestinal glucose absorption in cystic fibrosis: a study in human and transgenic DeltaF508 cystic fibrosis mouse tissues.
Intestinal transport is disturbed in cystic fibrosis (CF), with both defective Cl- secretion and changes in absorption being reported. We have examined the effects of the disease on Na(+)-dependent glucose absorption by the small intestine. Active glucose absorption was monitored as changes in short-circuit current (SCC) in intact and stripped intestinal sheets from normal (Swiss) and transgenic CF (Cftr(tm1Eur) and Cftr(tm2Cam)) mice with the DeltaF508 mutation, and in jejunal biopsies from children with CF and normal controls. Na(+)-dependent glucose uptake at the luminal membrane was measured in brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMVs). Intact and stripped sheets of jejunum and midintestine from Swiss mice exhibited a concentration-dependent increase in SCC with glucose. Apparent Km values were similar in the two preparations, but the apparent Vmax was greater in stripped sheets. This difference was not due to a loss of neural activity in stripped sheets as tetrodotoxin did not influence the glucose-induced SCC in intact sheets. Similar results were observed in stripped sheets of jejunum and mid-intestine from wild-type Cftr(tm1Eur) mice, but in tissues from CF mice the apparent Vmax value was reduced significantly. A lower Vmax was also obtained in intact sheets of mid-intestine from CF (Cftr(tm2Cam)) mice. Jejunal biopsies from CF patients however, exhibited an enhanced glucose-dependent rise in SCC. Na(+)-dependent uptake by BBMVs from CF (Cftr(tm1Eur)) mice was not reduced compared with wild-type and Swiss BBMVs. It was concluded that, in contrast to human intestine, intestinal glucose absorption was reduced in transgenic mouse models of CF with the DeltaF508 mutation, but that this could not be detected in an isolated preparation of brush-border membranes. Transgenic mouse models of CF may not accurately reflect all aspects of intestinal dysfunction in the human disease.


Dysregulation of striatal dopamine signaling by amphetamine inhibits feeding by hungry mice.
Amphetamine (AMPH) releases monoamines, transiently stimulates locomotion, and inhibits feeding. Using a genetic approach, we show that mice lacking dopamine (DA-deficient, or DD, mice) are resistant to the hypophagic effects of a moderate dose of AMPH (2 microg/g) but manifest normal AMPH-induced hypophagia after restoration of DA signaling in the caudate putamen by viral gene therapy. By contrast, AMPH-induced hypophagia in response to the same dose of AMPH is not blunted in mice lacking the ability to make norepinephrine and epinephrine (Dbh(-/-)), dopamine D(2) receptors (D2r(-/-)), dopamine D(1) receptors (D1r(-/-)), serotonin 2C receptors (Htr2c(-/Y)), neuropeptide Y (Npy(-/-)), and in mice with compromised melanocortin signaling (A(y)). We suggest that, at this moderate dose of AMPH, dysregulation of striatal DA is the primary cause of AMPH-induced hypophagia and that regulated striatal dopaminergic signaling may be necessary for normal feeding behaviors.


The serine-rich N-terminal region of Arabidopsis phytochrome A is required for protein stability.
Deletion or substitution of the serine-rich N-terminal stretch of grass phytochrome A (phyA) has repeatedly been shown to yield a hyperactive photoreceptor when expressed under the control of a constitutive promoter in transgenic tobacco or Arabidopsis seedlings retaining their native phyA. These observations have lead to the proposal that the serine-rich region is involved in negative regulation of phyA signaling. To re-evaluate this conclusion in a more physiological context we produced transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings of the phyA-null background expressing Arabidopsis PHYA deleted in the sequence corresponding to amino acids 6-12, under the control of the native PHYA promoter. Compared to the transgenic seedlings expressing wild-type phyA, the seedlings bearing the mutated phyA showed normal responses to pulses of far-red (FR) light and impaired responses to continuous FR light. In yeast two-hybrid experiments, deleted phyA interacted normally with FHY1 and FHL, which are required for phyA accumulation in the nucleus. Immunoblot analysis showed reduced stability of deleted phyA under continuous red or FR light. The reduced physiological activity can therefore be accounted for by the enhanced destruction of the mutated phyA. These findings do not support the involvement of the serine-rich region in negative regulation but they are consistent with a recent report suggesting that phyA turnover is regulated by phosphorylation.


The paradox of the missing function: How similar is moral mutualism to biofunctional understanding?
We explain here how the natural selection theory of people’s mutualistic sense of fairness and the biofunctional theory of human understanding are made for each other. We welcome the stage that the target article has already set for this convergence, and invite the authors to consider moving the two independently developed approaches a step closer to the natural selection level of biofunctional understanding.


Elevated serum levels of soluble CD44 variant 6 are correlated with shorter survival in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
A variant form of CD44 that has additional amino acids in the common protein backbone (CD44-v6) seems to play a role in the metastasis of malignancies. We measured soluble CD44-v6 (sCD44-v6) by ELISA in 201 patients with malignant lymphoma. The sCD44-v6 level was significantly elevated in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (n = 184). The sCD44-v6 level was correlated significantly with the standard sCD44 and soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels, but only weakly with serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In 149 patients with aggressive NHL, the sCD44-v6 level was elevated in the subgroups with a high LDH level, stage III/IV disease, T-cell lymphoma, and high-intermediate or high risk group as identified by the International Prognostic Index (IPI). When the sCD44-v6 level was > or = 800 ng/ml the overall survival rate was significantly decreased (p = 0.0001). In the low + low-intermediate risk group (IPI) both overall survival rates (log-rank p = 0.0005, Wilcoxon p =0.002) were significantly decreased when the sCD44-v6 level was > or = 800 ng/ml. In multivariate analysis, sCD44-v6 was shown to be independent of the five prognostic factors in the IPI (age, performance status, number of extranodal sites, Ann Arbor stage and LDH level), so it may be useful for predicting the outcome of aggressive NHL.


Amplitude-integrated EEG and the newborn infant.
There is emerging recognition of the need for continuous long term electrographic monitoring of the encephalopathic neonate. While full-montage EEG with video remains the gold standard for monitoring, it is limited in application due to the complexity of lead application and specialized interpretation of results. Amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG) is derived from limited channels (usually C3-P3, C4-P4) and is filtered, rectified and time-compressed to serve as a bedside electrographic trend monitor. Its simple application and interpretation has resulted in increasing use in neonatal units across the world. Validation studies with full montage EEG have shown reliable results in interpretation of EEG background and electrographic seizures, especially when used with the simultaneously displayed raw EEG trace. Several aEEG monitors are commercially available and seizure algorithms are being developed for use on these monitors. These aEEG monitors, complement conventional EEG and offer a significant advance in the feasibility of long term electrographic monitoring of the encephalopathic neonate.


Reliability of the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Examination--Chinese version.
A Chinese version of the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Examination (NNE-C) was applied to 15 high-risk infants and five normal term infants for investigation of reliability. The infants were assessed by three physical therapists to examine inter-rater reliability and reassessed by one of the therapists within 2 days to examine test-retest reproducibility. The internal consistency of the NNE-C scale was high, with an alpha coefficient of 0.84. The inter-rater reliability was high for item scores (kappa coefficients > 0.75 for 81% of the items) and for section and total scores (all intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.80). The test-retest reproducibility was moderate for item scores (kappa coefficients > 0.40 for 85% of the items) and was high for section and total scores (all intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.80). We conclude that the NNE-C scale is clinically feasible and reliable for the evaluation of neurobehavioral functions of high-risk and normal term infants in Chinese-speaking societies.


Rhodiola: a promising anti-aging Chinese herb.
Using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, we investigated the effects of Rhodiola on life-span. Rhodiola is a plant root used in traditional Chinese medicine that may increase an organism's resistance to stress. It has been proposed that Rhodiola can extend longevity and improve health span by alleviating oxidative stress. Rhodiola supplied every other day at 30 mg/mL significantly increased the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster. When comparing the distribution of deaths between Rhodiola-supplemented and control flies, Rhodiola-fed flies exhibited decelerated aging. Although the observed extension in lifespan was associated with statistically insignificant reductions in fecundity, correcting for a possible dietary restriction effect still did not eliminate the difference between supplemented and control flies, nor does the effect of Rhodiola depend on dietary manipulation, strongly suggesting that Rhodiola is not a mere dietary restriction mimetic. Although this study does not reveal the causal mechanism behind the effect of Rhodiola, it does suggest that the supplement is worthy of continued investigation, unlike the other Chinese herbals, Lu Duo Wei (LDW), Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (BZYQT), San Zhi Pian (SZP, Three Imperial Mushrooms), Hong Jing Tian (Rhodiola) that were evaluated in this study.