Electrical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube reinforced fused silica composites.
Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-fused silica composite powders were synthesized by solgel method and dense bulk composites were successfully fabricated via hot-pressing. This composite was characterized by XRD, HRTEM, and FESEM. MWCNTs in the hot-pressed composites are in their integrity observed by HRTEM. The electrical properties of MWCNT-fused silica composites were measured and analyzed. The electrical resistivity was found to decrease with the increase in the amount of the MWCNT loading in the composite. When the volume percentage of the MWCNTs increased to 5 vol%, the electrical resistivity of the composite is 24.99 omega cm, which is a decrease of twelve orders of value over that of pure fused silica matrix. The electrical resistivity further decreases to 1.742 omega. cm as the concentration of the MWCNTs increased to 10 vol%. The dielectric properties of the composites were also measured at the frequency ranging from 12.4 to 17.8 GHz (Ku band) at room temperature. The experimental results reveal that the dielectric properties are extremely sensitive to the volume percentage of the MWCNTs, and the permittivities, especially the imaginary permittivities, increase dramatically with the increase in the concentration of the MWCNTs. The improvement of dielectric properties in high frequency region mainly originates from the greatly increasing electrical properties of the composite.


Schistomiasis of the spinal cord: report two cases.
Schistosomiasis affects over 200 million people worldwide. Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord is a rare occurrence. In Africa, there have been recent reports from Egypt and South Africa. In Uganda, the last histological records were over two decades ago. Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord is commonly caused by Schistosoma mansoni although Schistosoma haematobium has been isolated. Two case reports are presented. In both patients, the diagnosis was made retrospectively. The first patient was a female patient with a lesion in the thoracic region. The second patient was a 21 year old male with a lesion in the conus. Apart from a block on the myelograms, all other laboratory investigations were negative. The diagnosis was made histologically in both cases with the identification of eggs of schistosoma in the spinal cord. The eggs could however, not be retrieved from the stool or urine samples. Both patients were treated with antischistosomal drugs and steroids. On follow up they had marked improvement in their neurological signs. We hope to renew attention in this rare but devastating neurological manifestation of a disease which affects many in our region and which if left untreated can lead to permanent neurological damage.


[Multidetector-row CT of the gastrointestinal tract].
Recently, the availability of multidetector-row CT (MDCT) and continuous refinement in three-dimensional (3D) imaging process have greatly expanded the role of CT in evaluating patients with gastrointestinal diseases. MDCT is the latest advancement in CT technology and is now more readily available. This imaging modality can offer full examination of the entire intestinal tract as well as powerful information about the bowel itself and its surrounding structures, which are inherent advantages of CT over conventional barium or optical endoscopic studies. In most cases, MDCT with various 3D technologies can make an easy, rapid, and accurate diagnosis by one-stop imaging, and enables to avoid other examinations. Therefore, knowledge and awareness of valuable clinical applications and proper scan technique of MDCT imaging is essential to achieve the diagnostic goal of one-step imaging.


Primary structure of O-linked carbohydrate chains in the cellulosome of different Clostridium thermocellum strains.
The cell-free forms of the multiple cellulase-containing protein complex (cellulosome), isolated from the cellulolytic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum strains YS, ATCC 27405 and LQRI, have a total carbohydrate content of 5-7% (by mass), consisting of O-linked oligosaccharide chains. The carbohydrate chains were liberated by alkaline-borohydride treatment and fractionated as oligosaccharide alditols via gel-permeation chromatography and HPLC. The fractions were investigated by 500-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy in combination with monosaccharide and methylation analysis and with fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). In addition to the previously described major oligosaccharide, (formula; see text) [Gerwig, G. J., de Waard, P., Kamerling, J. P., Vliegenthart, J. F. G., Morgenstern, E., Lamed, R. & Bayer, E. A. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 1027-1035], the following partial structures of this compound could be established: (formula; see text). Cell-free and cell-associated forms of the cellulosome of C. thermocellum, as determined for strain YS, have the same oligosaccharide pattern. Based on the oligosaccharide structures, a biosynthetic pathway is suggested.


Generation cycles.
Generation cycles are population cycles with a period of roughly one generation. They have been observed in tropical pest populations and in laboratory populations. Theory suggests that they can arise both from intraspecific competition and from the influence of natural enemies, and ecological studies of populations of insects showing these cycles are starting to shed light on the mechanisms that maintain them.


Meta-analysis: new tests for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection: areas of uncertainty and recommendations for research.
Until recently, the tuberculin skin test was the only test for detecting latent tuberculosis (TB) infection, but 2 ex vivo interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are now commercially licensed. To estimate sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of IGRAs (commercial or research versions of QuantiFERON [QFT] and Elispot) for diagnosing latent TB infection in healthy and immune-suppressed persons. The authors searched MEDLINE and reviewed citations of all original articles and reviews for studies published in English. Studies had evaluated IGRAs using Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens (RD1 antigens) and overnight (16- to 24-h) incubation times. Reference standards had to be clearly defined without knowledge of test results. DATA EXTRACTION AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT: Specific criteria for quality assessment were developed for sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. When newly diagnosed active TB was used as a surrogate for latent TB infection, sensitivity of all tests was suboptimal, although it was higher with Elispot. No test distinguishes active TB from latent TB. Sensitivity of the tuberculin skin test and IGRAs was similar in persons who were categorized into clinical gradients of exposure. Pooled specificity was 97.7% (95% CI, 96% to 99%) and 92.5% (CI, 86% to 99%) for QFT and for Elispot, respectively. Both assays were more specific than the tuberculin skin test in samples vaccinated with bacille Calmette-Guérin. Elispot was more sensitive than the tuberculin skin test in 3 studies of immune-compromised samples. Discordant tuberculin skin test and IGRA reactions were frequent and largely unexplained, although some may be related to varied definitions of positive test results. Reversion of IGRA results from positive to negative was common in 2 studies in which it was assessed. Most studies used cross-sectional designs with the inherent limitation of no gold standard for latent TB infection, and most involved small samples with a widely varying likelihood of true-positive and false-positive test results. There is insufficient evidence on IGRA performance in children, immune-compromised persons, and the elderly. New IGRAs show considerable promise and have excellent specificity. Additional studies are needed to better define their performance in high-risk populations and in serial testing. Longitudinal studies are needed to define the predictive value of IGRAs.


Failure of 3,4-diaminopyridine and edrophonium to produce significant clinical benefit in neurotoxicity following the bite of Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus canni).
Progressive systemic neurotoxicity is a common feature in patients envenomed following the bite of a Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus canni). Respiratory paralysis, which commonly results, accounts for considerable morbidity and mortality. Established neurotoxicity does not respond to antivenom. In this study, a combination of clinical and electrophysiological variables was used to assess the effect of edrophonium and 3,4-diaminopyridine in patients with significant neurotoxicity. Both drugs produced minor electrophysiological and clinical changes in envenomed patients. This effect was maximal when the 2 drugs were used in combination, but was insufficient to be of significant clinical benefit. Neither drug can be recommended for use in the management of Papuan taipan bite.


The clinically approved drugs amiodarone, dronedarone and verapamil inhibit filovirus cell entry.
Filoviruses such as Ebola virus and Marburg virus cause a severe haemorrhagic fever syndrome in humans for which there is no specific treatment. Since filoviruses use a complex route of cell entry that depends on numerous cellular factors, we hypothesized that there may be drugs already approved for human use for other indications that interfere with signal transduction or other cellular processes required for their entry and hence have anti-filoviral properties. We used authentic filoviruses and lentiviral particles pseudotyped with filoviral glycoproteins to identify and characterize such compounds. We discovered that amiodarone, a multi-ion channel inhibitor and adrenoceptor antagonist, is a potent inhibitor of filovirus cell entry at concentrations that are routinely reached in human serum during anti-arrhythmic therapy. A similar effect was observed with the amiodarone-related agent dronedarone and the L-type calcium channel blocker verapamil. Inhibition by amiodarone was concentration dependent and similarly affected pseudoviruses as well as authentic filoviruses. Inhibition of filovirus entry was observed with most but not all cell types tested and was accentuated by the pre-treatment of cells, indicating a host cell-directed mechanism of action. The New World arenavirus Guanarito was also inhibited by amiodarone while the Old World arenavirus Lassa and members of the Rhabdoviridae (vesicular stomatitis virus) and Bunyaviridae (Hantaan) families were largely resistant. The ion channel blockers amiodarone, dronedarone and verapamil inhibit filoviral cell entry.


The inseparable triad: analytical sensitivity, measurement uncertainty, and quantitative resolution.
The formal definition of sensitivity associates the term with the change in the response of a system for a small change of the stimulus causing the response, i.e., the ratio of the response of a system to the stimulus causing it. One interpretation of sensitivity associates the rate of change of the response for a small change of the stimulus as the slope of a calibration plot of response vs stimulus. An alternative interpretation associates sensitivity with the smallest value of the stimulus that can be resolved with a given degree of confidence, i.e., the detection limit. Applications of the first usage to analytical chemistry date at least to the beginning of this century; applications of the second interpretation are of more recent origin. The accompanying paper argues in favor of the second interpretation on the basis that, among other things, the "slope" interpretation conflicts with the formal definition of sensitivity and is meaningless as a descriptor of the performance of a measuring system. In this paper I offer arguments to support my belief that the slope definition of sensitivity is consistent with both formal definitions and accepted usage in analytical chemistry and, more importantly, that it is an invaluable descriptor of one of the most important characteristics of any analytical method. I include information to support my belief that proper use of the slope definition yields much more information than is available in the "detection limit" interpretation.


[Recurrent dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans].
The present paper tends to emphases by one hand the necessity of the histological examination, as a routine exam, on every surgical procedure, even minor ones, and by the other hand, the difficulties of the differential diagnostic, including by histological means, in lesser importance lesions. In this line we will present the case of female patient who had a lesion labeled as a postoperative granuloma and it proved to be a malignant neoplasia.


Neck movement speed in cervical dystonia.
Clinical scales of patients with cervical dystonia do not rate neck movement velocity. We prospectively measured range of neck movements and movement velocities in 35 consecutive patients with cervical dystonia (CD) and 29 normal controls. Reduction of peak velocities in patients with CD was the most robust abnormality and was correlated to TWSTRS. Coupled movements out of attempted movement plane were increased in the patient group. Movement range was moderately though significantly reduced. We conclude that slowing of voluntary neck movements is a frequent and hitherto unrecognized feature in CD.


Technical note: Rapid method for determination of amino acids in milk.
A rapid method for measurement of amino acids in milk was developed and validated. The method included a first step of milk protein hydrolysis, followed by the derivatization and separation of amino acids by HPLC. Six combinations of hydrolysis agent and temperature-time conditions were compared with a reference method; derivatization procedures as well as HPLC separation were improved. Hydrolysis of milk samples with 6 N HCl at 160 degrees C for 60 min resulted in no significantly differences compared with the reference method but allowed the analysis of a greater number of milk samples in a short time. In addition, this method was characterized by high precision, low repeatability uncertainty, and high accuracy for all amino acids evaluated; the recovery mean value of the single amino acids was 98.38%. The proposed method is, therefore, accurate, simple, rapid, and suitable for large numbers of milk samples.


Risk assessment and driving factors for artificial topography on element heterogeneity: Case study at Jiangsu, China.
The rapid expansion of construction related to coastal development evokes great concern about environmental risks. Recent attention has been focused mainly on factors related to the effects of waterlogging, but there is urgent need to address the potential hazard caused by artificial topography: derived changes in the elemental composition of the sediments. To reveal possible mechanisms and to assess the environmental risks of artificial topography on transition of elemental composition in the sediment at adjoining zones, a nest-random effects-combined investigation was carried out around a semi-open seawall. The results implied great changes induced by artificial topography. Not only did artificial topography alter the sediment elemental composition at sites under the effect of artificial topography, but also caused a coupling pattern transition of elements S and Cd. The biogeochemical processes associated with S were also important, as suggested by cluster analysis. The geo-accumulation index shows that artificial topography triggered the accumulation of C, N, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, As and Cd, and increased the pollution risk of C, N, S, Cu, As and Cd. Enrichment factors reveal that artificial topography is a new type of human-activity-derived Cu contamination. The heavy metal Cu was notably promoted on both the geo-accumulation index and the enrichment factor under the influence of artificial topography. Further analysis showed that the Cu content in the sediment could be fitted using equations for Al and organic carbon, which represented clay mineral sedimentation and organic matter accumulation, respectively. Copper could be a reliable indicator of environmental degradation caused by artificial topography.


Fatal acute toxoplasmosis in three golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia).
Fatal acute toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in three golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia), a breeding pair and their male offspring, by histology and immunohistochemistry. The distribution and severity of lesions differed among the animals, but the small intestine and the pancreaticoduodenal lymph nodes were especially affected. Protozoal organisms consistent with Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites, often clustered, were seen in all lesions and were specifically immunostained with a T. gondii polyclonal antibody. The infection was probably acquired orally. Several breeding groups of golden lion tamarins have succumbed to toxoplasmosis both in North American and European zoos, so this disease should be considered an important problem in this endangered species. Toxoplasma gondii can cause latent infections in New World primates and therefore could potentially induce abortions or congenital infections in wild golden lion tamarins born from latently infected reintroduced females.


Long-term effects of early life L-arginine supplementation on growth performance, lymphoid organs and immune responses in Leghorn-type chickens.
The effects of a short-term dietary arginine supplementation after hatching on subsequent growth and the immune system were assessed in growing male Leghorn-type chickens. An arginine-deficient basal diet (67 g/kg) supplemented with 0 (control), 2.7 (LA) or 5.4 (HA) g L-arginine/kg, was offered ad libitum to 1-d-old male ISA Brown chicks for 4 weeks, then all birds were offered ad libitum a commercial pullet grower feed (8.9 g arginine/kg) for another 8 weeks. Supplemented birds had higher growth rates and feed intake than control birds during the 4-week supplementation period, but these effects did not persist into the subsequent periods. When the supplementation ceased at week 4, no differences in lymphoid organ weights relative to body weight (BW), primary serum antibody levels against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or cutaneous reactivity of toe webs to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were detected. LA-fed birds had lower immunoglobulin (Ig) G levels against bovine serum albumin (BSA) than the control at week 4, but this effect did not persist at weeks 8 and 12. No difference in anti-BSA IgM levels was detected among birds at week 4; at week 12, however, the LA-fed birds had a significantly higher anti-BSA IgM level than the control. An increased anti-SRBC antibody level and a reduced relative bursa weight in HA-fed birds were evident at week 8, without any prior effects. It is concluded that short-term supplementary L-arginine had minimal effects on immunity, but some enhancement of SRBC antibody responses in later stages of growth was observed with previous L-arginine administration.


An MR imaging method for simultaneous measurement of gaseous diffusion constant and longitudinal relaxation time.
A magnetic resonance imaging method for simultaneous and accurate determination of gaseous diffusion constant and longitudinal relaxation time is presented. The method is based on direct observation of diffusive motion. Initially, a slice-selective saturation of helium-3 (3He) spins was performed on a 3He/O2 phantom (9 atm/2 atm). A time-delay interval was introduced after saturation, allowing spins to diffuse in and out of the labeled slice. Following the delay interval a one-dimensional (1-D) projection image of the phantom was acquired. A series of 21 images was collected, each subsequent image having been acquired with an increased delay interval. Gradual spreading of the slice boundaries due to diffusion was thus observed. The projection profiles were fit to a solution of the Bloch equation corrected for diffusive motion. The fitting procedure yielded a value of D3He = 0.1562+/-0.0013 cm2/s, in good agreement with a measurement obtained with a modified version of the standard pulsed-field gradient technique. The method also enabled us to accurately measure the longitudinal relaxation of 3He spins by fitting the change of the total area under the projection profiles to an exponential. A value of T1 = 1.67 s (2 T field) was recorded, in excellent agreement with an inversion recovery measurement.


Young modulus of supported lipid membranes containing milk sphingomyelin in the gel, fluid or liquid-ordered phase, determined using AFM force spectroscopy.
The biological membrane surrounding milk fat globules (MFGM) exhibits lateral phase separation of lipids, interpreted as gel or liquid-ordered phase sphingomyelin-rich (milk SM) domains dispersed in a fluid continuous lipid phase. The objective of this study was to investigate whether changes in the phase state of milk SM-rich domains induced by temperature (T < Tm or T > Tm) or cholesterol affected the Young modulus of the lipid membrane. Supported lipid bilayers composed of MFGM polar lipids, milk SM or milk SM/cholesterol (50:50 mol) were investigated at 20 °C and 50 °C using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and force spectroscopy. At 20 °C, gel-phase SM-rich domains and the surrounding fluid phase of the MFGM polar lipids exhibited Young modulus values of 10-20 MPa and 4-6 MPa, respectively. Upon heating at 50 °C, the milk SM-rich domains in MFGM bilayers as well as pure milk SM bilayers melted, leading to the formation of a homogeneous membrane with similar Young modulus values to that of a fluid phase (0-5 MPa). Upon addition of cholesterol to the milk SM to reach 50:50 mol%, membranes in the liquid-ordered phase exhibited Young modulus values of a few MPa, at either 20 or 50 °C. This indicated that the presence of cholesterol fluidized milk SM membranes and that the Young modulus was weakly affected by the temperature. These results open perspectives for the development of milk polar lipid based vesicles with modulated mechanical properties.


Convex optimization-based blind deconvolution for images taken with coherent illumination.
A rank-constrained reformulation of the blind deconvolution problem on images taken with coherent illumination is proposed. Since in the reformulation the rank constraint is imposed on a matrix that is affine in the decision variables, we propose a novel convex heuristic for the blind deconvolution problem. The proposed heuristic allows for easy incorporation of prior information on the decision variables and the use of the phase diversity concept. The convex optimization problem can be iteratively re-parameterized to obtain better estimates. The proposed methods are demonstrated on numerically illustrative examples.


An ATP-binding cassette pleiotropic drug transporter protein is required for xenobiotic tolerance and antagonism in the fungal biocontrol agent Clonostachys rosea.
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters mediate active efflux of natural and synthetic toxicants and are considered to be important for drug tolerance in microorganisms. In biological control agents (BCA), ABC transporters can play important roles in antagonism by providing protection against toxins derived from the fungal prey and by mediating the secretion of endogenous toxins. In the present study, we generated deletion and complementation strains of the ABC transporter abcG5 in the fungal BCA Clonostachys rosea to study its role in xenobiotic tolerance and antagonism. Gene expression analysis shows induced expression of abcG5 in the presence of the Fusarium mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA), secreted metabolites of F. graminearum, and different classes of fungicides. Phenotypic analysis of abcG5 deletion and complementation strains showed that the deletion strains were more sensitive towards F. graminearum culture filtrates, ZEA, and iprodione- and mefenoxam-based fungicides, thus suggesting the involvement of abcG5 in cell protection. The ΔabcG5 strains displayed reduced antagonism towards F. graminearum in a plate confrontation assay. Furthermore, the ΔabcG5 strains failed to protect barley seedlings from F. graminearium foot rot disease. These data show that the abcG5 ABC transporter is important for xenobiotic tolerance and biocontrol traits in C. rosea.


Effects of Melatonin Ingestion Before Nocturnal Sleep on Postural Balance and Subjective Sleep Quality in Older Adults.
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of acute nocturnal melatonin (MEL) ingestion on sleep quality, cognitive performance, and postural balance in older adults. A total of 12 older men (58 ± 5.74 years) volunteered to participate in this study. The experimental protocol consisted in two testing sessions after nocturnal MEL (10 mg) or placebo ingestion the night before the tests. During each session, sleep quality tests, cognitive tests, and postural balance protocol were conducted. Static and dynamic postural control was assessed using a force platform. Most of the sleep parameters have been improved following nocturnal MEL ingestion without any effect on cognitive performance. Likewise, measurements related to the center of pressure (CoP) have been significantly decreased with MEL compared with placebo. In conclusion, postural control has been improved the morning following nocturnal MEL ingestion in older adults. This trend could be explained by the potential effect of MEL on sleep quality and cerebellum.


Photoacclimatization by the coral Montastraea cavernosa in the mesophotic zone: light, food, and genetics.
Most studies on coral reefs have focused on shallow reef (< 30 m) systems due to the technical limitations of conducting scientific diving deeper than 30 m. Compared to their shallow-water counterparts, these mesophotic coral reefs (30-150 m) are understudied, which has slowed our broader understanding of the biodiversity, ecology, and connectivity of shallow and deep coral reef communities. We know that the light environment is an important component of the productivity, physiology, and ecology of corals, and it restricts the distribution of most species of coral to depths of 60 m or less. In the Bahamas, the coral Montastraea cavernosa has a wide depth distribution, and it is one of the most numerous corals at mesophotic depths. Using a range of optical, physiological, and biochemical approaches, the relative dependence on autotrophy vs. heterotrophy was assessed for this coral from 3 to 91 m. These measurements show that the quantum yield of PSII fluorescence increases significantly with depth for M. cavernosa while gross primary productivity decreases with depth. Both morphological and physiological photoacclimatization occurs to a depth of 91 m, and stable isotope data of the host tissues, symbionts, and skeleton reveal a marked decrease in productivity and a sharp transition to heterotrophy between 45 and 61 m. Below these depths, significant changes in the genetic composition of the zooxanthellae community, including genotypes not previously observed, occur and suggest that there is strong selection for zooxanthellae that are suited for survival in the light-limited environment where mesophotic M. cavernosa are occurring.


[Analysis on effects of modified dosage of calcium gluconate on patients with hydrofluoric acid burns not in hands or feet].
Objective: To retrospectively explore the effects of modified dosage of calcium gluconate (CG) on the patients with hydrofluoric acid burns not in hands or feet. Methods: One hundred and sixty patients with hydrofluoric acid burns not in hands or feet were hospitalized in our burn ward from January 2004 to December 2017. Based on the dosage of CG at different admission time, 76 patients hospitalized from January 2004 to December 2012 were included in traditional group, and 84 patients hospitalized from January 2013 to December 2017 were included in modified group. For patients in the two groups, subcutaneous injection of CG solution at one time was immediately conducted on admission in topical treatment. In traditional group, the injection was CG solution with mass concentration of 100 g/L. For wounds of superficial partial-thickness and above degree, CG solution was prescribed at the dosage of 50 mg/cm(2). Wounds of superficial-thickness or mass fraction of hydrofluoric acid less than 20.0% did not receive injection. In modified group, the mass concentration of CG solution for injection was diluted with normal saline to 25 g/L. For wounds of deep partial-thickness and above degree, CG solution was prescribed at the dosage of (50×mass fraction of hydrofluoric acid) mg/cm(2). For wounds of superficial partial-thickness, CG solution was prescribed at the dosage of (25×mass fraction of hydrofluoric acid) mg/cm(2). For wounds of superficial-thickness, CG solution was prescribed at the dosage of 2.5 mg/cm(2). For systemic treatment, the injection velocity of CG solution via venous access was adjusted according to the level of serum calcium namely total serum calcium of patients in traditional group. In modified group, serum ionized calcium was additionally detected through automatic blood gas analyzer by the bed to regulate the injection velocity of CG via venous access. The incidence rate of hypercalcemia and mortality of patients after treatment in the two groups, and the situation about treatment of survivors in the two groups were analyzed. Data were processed with chi-square test, Fisher's exact probability test, t test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: (1) After treatment, 9 patients (11.8%) had hypercalcemia, while the other 67 patients (88.2%) did not have hypercalcemia in traditional group. Two patients (2.4%) had hypercalcemia, while the other 82 patients (97.6%) did not have hypercalcemia in modified group. The incidence rate of hypercalcemia of patients in traditional group was significantly higher than that in modified group (χ(2)=5.579, P=0.02). (2) There were two deaths (2.6%) and 74 survivors (97.4%) in traditional group, while there were two deaths (2.4%) and 82 survivors (97.6%) in modified group. The mortalities of patients in the two groups were close (P>0.05). (3) The ratios of eschar excision and skin grafting and hyperplastic scar formation, wound healing time, and ratio of esophageal scar stenosis of survivors in the two groups were close (χ(2)=0.002, 0.054, Z=0.66, P>0.05). Conclusions: Hydrofluoric acid is highly dangerous. The early management of patients with hydrofluoric acid burns emphasizing specialized dosage of CG for treatment can be helpful to reduce incidence of complications and improve the safety of treatment.


Idiopathic toe walking-A follow-up survey of gait analysis assessment.
Toe-walking is a normal variant in children up to 3 years of age but beyond this a diagnosis of idiopathic toe-walking (ITW) must be considered. ITW is an umbrella term that covers all cases of toe-walking without any diagnosed underlying medical condition and before assigning these diagnosis potential differential diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, peripheral neuropathy, spinal dysraphism and myopathy must be ruled out. Gait laboratory assessment (GLA) is thought to be useful in the evaluation of ITW, and kinematic, kinetic and electromyography features associated with ITW have been described. However, the longer term robustness of a diagnosis based on GLA has not been investigated. The primary aim of this study was to examine if a diagnosis of ITW based on GLA features persisted. All patients referred to a national gait laboratory service over a ten year period with queried ITW were sent a postal survey to establish if a diagnosis of ITW which had been offered following GLA persisted over time. The gait and clinical parameters differentiating those reported as typical ITW and not-typical-ITW following GLA were examined in the survey respondents. Of 102 referrals to the laboratory with queried ITW, a response rate of 40.2% (n = 41) was achieved. Of the respondents, 78% (n = 32) were found to be typical of ITW following GLA and this diagnosis persisted in the entire group at an average of 7 years post GLA. The other nine subjects were reported as not typical of ITW following GLA and 44.4% (n = 4) received a subsequent differential diagnosis. The clinical examination and gait analysis features differentiating these groups were consistent with previous literature. GLA appears to be a useful objective tool in the assessment of ITW and a diagnosis based on described features persists in the long-term.


Family history, cigarette smoking and other risk factors in patients with myocardial infarction.
All patients entering a coronary care unit had data collected and stored prospectively on a computer file. Family history and risk factor data have been abstracted for those with confirmed myocardial infarction. These data are compared between those aged less than 50 years and those aged between 50 and 70 years. Cigarette smoking habits are compared with age matched data from the 1976 census population study of cigarette smoking habits. The risk factors of hypercholesteolaemia, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cigarette smoking greater than 20 per day, do not separate the two age groups although cigarette smoking is more prevalent in the patient groups compared with the census population. Age of fathers' death is not different between the two age groups but death from myocardial infarction, presence of ischaemic heart disease during life in fathers and fewer nonsmokers in the younger age group clearly separate them from older age group patients. This study serves to emphasise that in order to prevent the development of myocardial infarction special attempts sould be made to prevent cigarette smoking in those whose fathers have died of a myocardial infarction or have symptoms of ischaemic heart disease.


Epidermoid cyst of the scalp containing human papillomavirus.
We report an epidermoid cyst of the scalp with light microscopic and immunohistochemical evidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Light microscopic features suggesting HPV infection included papillomatosis and hypergranulosis of the cyst lining with the presence of koilocytes. Much of the keratin within the cyst demonstrated parakeratosis. Immunoperoxidase labeling for HPV antigen was noted within koilocytes. Papillomavirus infection has been reported in plantar epidermoid cysts. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a papillomavirus-infected epidermoid cyst in a site other than plantar skin. Light microscopic features of our cases differed from those of the plantar cysts. Epidermoid cysts may be induced by the papillomavirus or the virus may merely infect pre-existing cysts.


Immunostimulation in the urinary bladder by local application of Nocardia rubra cell-wall skeletons (Rubratin) and bacillus Calmette-Guérin as therapy for superficial bladder cancer: a comparative study.
Twelve patients with superficial bladder cancer were treated with intravesical instillations of Rubratin (ASTA Pharma AG, Frankfurt, Germany), a cell-wall preparation of Nocardia rubra. The objective was to compare the immunostimulating effect of Rubratin with that of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Local immunostimulation was determined by cytokine induction in serially collected urine samples during the first 24 h after each instillation, leukocyte influx into the urine, and phenotypic analysis of the lymphocyte fraction. Levels of Rubratin-induced interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly elevated compared with pretherapy levels. Rubratin induced leukocyte influx into the urine. T-cell activation (IL-2 receptor and human leukocyte antigen-DR expression) can be induced, and CD4:CD8 cell ratios can be increased. All parameters indicated that Rubratin-induced immunostimulation was less than that associated with BCG. In conclusion, although local Rubratin-induced immunostimulation occurs in a limited number of patients, the amount of immunocompetent cells attracted to the bladder seems to be less than that associated with BCG therapy, thus resulting in lower levels of cytokine production (which may reflect less clinical efficacy).


Merging Clear Aligner Therapy With Digital Smile Design to Maximize Esthetics and Minimize Tooth Reduction.
Digital smile design (DSD) used in combination with an esthetic pre-evaluative temporary restoration is a reliable means of minimizing the removal of tooth structure when ceramic veneers are being placed. When patients present with poorly aligned teeth, the use of clear aligners may be considered to properly position the teeth based on the desired outcome. This article, which illustrates a method to systematically diagnose, plan, and stage treatment for a smile makeover, describes the merging of DSD with clear aligner therapy to enable clinicians to recognize digitally where to position the teeth using orthodontic movement. This approach allows the desired esthetic design to be attained while enabling minimal tooth reduction.


Extracorporeal photopheresis reduces the number of mononuclear cells that produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, when tested ex-vivo.
Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has been shown to be clinically effective in the treatment of many T cell-mediated conditions. ECP's mechanism of action includes the induction of apoptosis and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Recently, we have observed early lymphoid apoptosis, detectable immediately post ECP. We were interested to determine what influence ECP has on pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion at this early pre-infusion stage. Samples from 6 cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) and 5 graft versus host disease (GvHD) patients were taken pre ECP and immediately post ECP, prior to re-infusion. Following separation, the PBMCs were added to a cell culture medium and stimulated with PMA, Ionomycin, and Brefeldin A for 6 hours. Using flow cytometry, intracellular cytokine expression of IFNgamma and TNFalpha was determined in the T cell population. The monocytes were evaluated for IL6, IFNgamma, IL12, and TNFalpha. For both patient groups, the number of IFNgamma-expressing T cells fell significantly at re-infusion, whilst both T cell- and monocyte-expressing TNFalpha levels were reduced at re-infusion. All other cytokines tested showed no significant change post ECP. For GvHD, pro-inflammatory cytokines have a pathological role. Their down-regulation may have a direct clinical benefit. However, the reduction in the number of IFNgamma- and TNFalpha-expressing mononuclear cells means, at this early stage, it is unlikely that these cytokines assist in the removal of the malignant Th2 cells present in CTCL.


[Long-term prognostic value of coronary flow reserve in patients without significant left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis: results from the SZEGED Study].
Coronary flow reserve (CFR) measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography is a useful hemodynamic index to evaluate coronary microcirculatory (dys)function in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), in the absence of macrovascular lesions. The present study was designed to evaluate long-term prognostic value of CFR in patients without significant epicardial LAD stenosis. A total of 166 patients without significant LAD stenosis were enrolled in this prospective follow-up study. Coronary angiography demonstrated absence of significant LAD disease in all cases. All patients underwent transthoracic and stress transesophageal echocardiography (CFR measurement) and coronary angiography. The success rate of follow-up was 124 out of 166 (75%). During a mean follow-up of 93+/-34 months 27 patients died, including 16 sudden cardiac deaths, 3 acute heart failures, 2 strokes, while 6 patients had pulmonary or gastrointestinal malignancies. Using ROC analysis, the best cut-off value for CFR was 2.13 to predict survival (sensitivity 67%, specificity 60%, area, under the curve 62%, p = 0.046). Patients with CFR < 2.13 had significantly more events (32% vs. 13%, p<0.05). The logistic regression model identified CFR (hazard ratio (HR) 2.43, p = 0.04) and left ventricular end-systolic volume (HR 1.09, p = 0.03) as independent predictors of survival. Long-term prognostic significance of CFR for prediction of survival has been demonstrated during a long-term follow-up in patients without significant LAD stenosis.


Synthesis of core-shell Au@polypyrrole nanocomposite using a dendrimer-template approach.
Conducting polymeric nanostructures have been reported recently, which were produced from polypyrrole (PPy), including hollow nanocapsules, nanofibers, nanoporous membranes, nanowires, and nanofilms. In most cases, new synthetic routes were used aimed at controlling specific properties of these conducting nanostructures at the molecular level. In this communication we present a new chemical route to synthesize polypyrrole-based nanocomposites, in which polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers encapsulating Au nanoparticles are used as template. The two-step synthesis comprises the reduction of Au nanoparticles inside PAMAM molecules followed by PPy polymerization around the PAMAM-Au nanoparticles. The structure of the core-shell PAMAM-gold@polypyrrole nanospheres comprises a 40 nm PPy shell enclosing a core of 3 nm gold nanoparticles, as revealed by Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM). This new, environmentally-friendly approach may be suitable to produce hybrid nanomaterials for applications in catalysis, batteries, sensors, and micro/nanoelectronic devices.


Intracerebroventricular administration of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone increases phosphorylation of CREB in TRH- and CRH-producing neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.
Changes in circulating leptin levels, as determined by nutritional status, are important for the central regulation of neuroendocrine axes. Among these effects, fasting reduces TRH gene expression selectively in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which can be reversed by leptin administration. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of alpha-MSH recapitulates the effects of leptin on hypophysiotropic TRH neurons, completely restoring proTRH mRNA to levels in fed animals despite continuation of the fast, making alpha-MSH a candidate for mediating the central effects of leptin. As alpha-MSH binds to a G-protein coupled receptor that activates cAMP and alpha-MSH stimulates the TRH promoter through the phosphorylation of the transcription factor CREB in vitro, we determined whether i.c.v. injection of alpha-MSH to rats regulates phosphorylation of CREB, specifically in hypophysiotropic TRH neurons of PVN. As alpha-MSH also induces the activation of CRH gene expression in the PVN, we further determined whether i.c.v. injection of alpha-MSH regulates the phosphorylation of CREB in hypophysiotropic CRH neurons. In vehicle-treated animals, only rare neurons contained nuclear phospho-CREB (PCREB) immunoreactivity in the parvocellular PVN. I.c.v. injection of 10 microg alpha-MSH dramatically increased the number of PCREB-immunolabeled cell nuclei in the PVN in fasted groups at 10 min postinjection, particularly in the medial, periventricular, anterior and ventral parvocellular subdivisions, whereas a moderate increase of PCREB immunoreactivity was observed at 30 min and PCREB immunoreactivity was lowest at 1 h postinfusion. Double immunolabeling with proTRH antiserum revealed that following i.c.v. alpha-MSH infusion at 10 min, the majority of TRH neurons contained PCREB in the anterior (71%), medial (83%) and periventricular (63%) parvocellular subdivisions. The percentage of double-labeled TRH neurons declined at 30 min and 1 h post alpha-MSH infusion. Similarly, only 16% of CRH neurons of the medial parvocellular neurons contained PCREB nuclei in vehicle treated animals, whereas 10 min following alpha-MSH infusion the percentage of CRH neurons colocalizing with the PCREB rose to 54%, then fell to 37 and 17% at 30 and 60 min postinfusion, respectively. These data demonstrate that i.c.v. alpha-MSH administration increases the phosphorylation of CREB in several subdivisions of the PVN including TRH and CRH neurons in the medial and periventricular parvocellular subdivisions, suggesting that phosphorylation of CREB may be necessary for alpha-MSH-induced activation of the TRH and CRH genes. The increase in PCREB in the anterior and ventral parvocellular subdivisions of the PVN, regions linked to nonhypophysiotropic functions such as autonomic regulation, would also imply a role for these neurons in anorectic and energy wasting responses of melanocortin signaling.


The effect of vagotomy on the canine enterogastrone mechanism.
The effect of truncal vagotomy on the enterogastrone mechanism was evaluated in dogs with Heidenhain pouches and gastric and pancreatic fistulas. During continuous infusion of pentagastrin, 8 microg-Kg.-hr., HCl was infused into the duodenum in doses of 12, 18, and 24 mEq. per hour before and one month following transthoracic vagotomy. The effect of vagotomy on the inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated Heidenhain pouch hydrogen ion output produced by the endogenous release of duodenal hormones was evaluated. The results indicate that there was no difference in the degree of inhibition produced by 12 and 18 mEq. intraduodenal HCl before and after vagotomy. When 24 mEq. per hour HCl was infused, the percent inhibition was significantly greater after vagotomy compared to values before vagotomy. The D50 of intraduodenal acid for inhibition of Heidenhain pouch hydrogen ion output was not altered by vagotomy, whereas the calculated maximal response (inhibition) was increased after vagotomy. Pancreatic volume was greater after vagotomy when compared to values before vagotomy, when 24 mEq. of HCl per hour was infused into the duodenum. These data suggest that vagotomy does not impair the effectiveness of the enterogastrone mechanism and at high doses of intraduodenal acid may augment it.


Strengthening partnerships: The involvement of health care providers in the evaluation of authentic assessment within midwifery undergraduate education.
Collaborative partnerships between health care providers and academics are essential in the provision of quality undergraduate midwifery programs. While health care providers often contribute to clinical assessment and teaching in midwifery programs, they are rarely involved in assessment design and evaluation. This paper describes the evaluation of an assessment task designed to develop critical thinking skills in final year undergraduate midwifery students. Health care providers' involvement sought to confirm the authenticity and validity of the assessment task and facilitate further engagement. A mixed method descriptive study design was used. After reviewing a sample of student work, health care providers completed a 20 item survey and participated in a focus group. Survey items were based on the domains of Educational Acceptability, Educational Impact and Preparation for Practice. Participants gave high scores for each domain and commented positively on the innovative nature of the assessment, students' ability to undertake in-depth analysis of complex cases, and development of student's critical thinking skills. Participants also reported greater confidence in students' competence and the program. Involving health care providers in evaluation of an assessment task validated the assessment, contributed to clinicians' perceptions of student credibility, and fostered strong links between the program and industry.


Impact of CYP2C19 polymorphisms on the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel in an actual clinical setting in Japan.
The P2Y(12) adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor blocker, clopidogrel, an essential drug for the prevention of stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a prodrug that requires CYP2C19- and CYP3A4-mediating activation. CYP2C19*2 and *3 polymorphisms are known to lack enzymatic activity. CYP2C19 polymorphisms have been reported to exhibit weaker antiplatelet response to clopidogrel in healthy subjects. The effect of polymorphisms of CYP2C19, CYP3A4 and P2Y(12) on the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel in clinical patients was examined in the present study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP2C19*2, *3, CYP3A4 (IVS10 +12G>A) and P2Y(12) (T744C) were determined in 25 PCI-scheduled patients who had been systematically analyzed for the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel in a previous study. On the basis of CYP2C19 genotype, 11 patients (44%) were classified as extensive metabolizers (EMs), 8 (32%) as intermediate metabolizers (IMs) and 6 (24%) as poor metabolizers (PMs). The rates of inhibition of 5 micromol/L ADP-induced platelet aggregation by clopidogrel intake at 48 h were 31.6 +/-14.3% in EMs, 18.4 +/-10.0% in IMs (P=0.04 vs EMs) and 16.0 +/-13.0% in PMs (P=0.02 vs EMs). CYP2C19 polymorphisms are frequent in Japanese, and the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel is strongly affected by them in the real-world clinical setting.


A novel mutation in the SCN5A gene is associated with Brugada syndrome.
Brugada syndrome (BS) is an inherited cardiac disorder associated with a high risk of sudden cardiac death and is caused by mutations in the SCN5A gene encoding the cardiac sodium channel alpha-subunit (Na(v)1.5). The aim of this study was to identify the genetic cause of familial BS and characterize the electrophysiological properties of a novel SCN5A mutation (W1191X). Four families and one patient with BS were screened for SCN5A mutations by PCR and direct sequencing. Wild-type (WT) and mutant Na(v)1.5 channels were expressed in tsA201 cells, and the sodium currents (I(Na)) were analyzed using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. A novel mutation, W1191X, was identified in a family with BS. Expression of the WT or the mutant channel (Na(v)1.5/W1191X) co-transfected with the beta(1)-subunit in tsA201 cells resulted in a loss of function of Na(v)1.5 channels. While voltage-clamp recordings of the WT channel showed a distinct acceleration of Na(v)1.5 activation and fast inactivation kinetics, the Na(v)1.5/W1191X mutant failed to generate any currents. Co-expression of the WT channel and the mutant channel resulted in a 50% reduction in I(Na). No effect on activation and inactivation were observed with this heterozygous expression. The W1191X mutation is associated with BS and resulted in the loss of function of the cardiac sodium channel.


Null association of NQO1 609C>T and NQO2 -3423G>A polymorphisms with susceptibility and prognosis of Esophageal cancer in north Indian population and meta-analysis.
NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and NRH:quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2), involved in detoxification of environmental carcinogens and activation of chemotherapeutic agents, are supposed to play critical role in carcinogenesis. So, we aimed to investigate the association of NQO1 609C>T and NQO2 -3423G>A polymorphisms with susceptibility and prognosis of Esophageal cancer (EC) in north Indian population. We also performed Meta analysis of published literatures on NQO1 609C>T polymorphism to systematically evaluate its association with EC. We genotyped NQO1 609C>T and NQO2 -3423G>A polymorphisms in 200 incident EC cases (including 150 follow-up cases) and 200 controls using PCR RFLP based methods. Binary logistic regression was applied for risk estimation, while Kaplan Meier and Cox regression tests were applied for survival analysis. All Meta analysis tests were performed using MIX 2.0 software. The present study did not find any significant association of NQO1 609C>T and NQO2 -3423G>A polymorphisms with susceptibility to EC or its clinical phenotypes (histopathology, tumor location or lymph node metastasis) or interactions with lifestyle risk factors (tobacco usage, smoking, alcohol habit and occupational exposures). Meta analysis of NQO1 polymorphism also indicated null association of the polymorphism with EC overall or with cancer cases stratified by tumor histopathology/ethnicity. Moreover, no prognostic implication of both polymorphisms was observed in EC. NQO1 609C>T and NQO2 -3423G>A polymorphisms do not seem to play any significant role in susceptibility or prognosis of EC in north Indian population and results of Meta-analysis further reinforces null association of NQO1 609C>T polymorphism with EC susceptibility.


Pd-Au nanoparticle decorated carbon nanotube as a sensing layer on the surface of glassy carbon electrode for electrochemical determination of ceftazidime.
A simple electrodeposition method is employed to construct a thin film modifier of palladium-gold nanoparticles (Pd-AuNPs) decorated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Morphology and property of Pd-AuNPs-MWCNT have been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Electrochemical performance of Pd-AuNPs-MWCNT/GCE for detection of ceftazidime (CFZ) has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). This nanostructured film modified electrode effectively exhibited enhanced properties for detection of ceftazidime (CFZ). The effects of various experimental variables such as, the amount of casted MWCNT, time and potential of deposition of metal nanoparticles and the pH of the buffered solution on the electrode response are optimized. The proposed electrode showed a linear dynamic range of 0.05-50μM and the detection limit of 1nM for the CFZ. The modified electrode successfully supports the sensitive detection of trace amounts of the CFZ in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.


Efferent neurons and suspected interneurons in motor cortex of the awake rabbit: axonal properties, sensory receptive fields, and subthreshold synaptic inputs.
1. Properties of antidromically identified efferent neurons within the cortical representation of the vibrissae, sinus hairs, and philtrum were examined in motor cortex of fully awake adult rabbits. Efferent neurons were tested for both receptive field and axonal properties and included callosal (CC) neurons (n = 31), ipsilateral corticocortical (C-IC) neurons (n = 34) that project to primary somatosensory cortex (S-1), and corticofugal neurons of layer 5 (CF-5) (n = 33) and layer 6 (CF-6) (n = 32) that project to and/or beyond the thalamus. Appropriate collision tests demonstrated that substantial numbers of corticocortical efferent neurons project an axon to both the corpus callosum and to ipsilateral S-1. 2. Suspected interneurons (SINs, n = 37) were also studied. These neurons were not activated antidromically from any stimulus site but did respond synaptically to electrical stimulation of the ventrolateral (VL) thalamus and/or S-1 with a burst of three or more spikes at frequencies from 600 to > 900 Hz. All of these neurons also responded synaptically to stimulation of the corpus callosum. The action potentials of these neurons were much shorter in duration (mean = 0.48 ms), than those of efferent neurons (mean = 0.90 ms). 3. CF-5 neurons differed from CC, C-IC, and CF-6 neurons in their spontaneous firing rates, axonal properties, and receptive field properties. Whereas CF-5 neurons had a mean spontaneous firing rate of 4.1 spikes/s, CC, C-IC, and CF-6 neurons all had mean values of < 1 spike/s. Axonal conduction velocities of CF-5 neurons were much higher (mean = 12.76 m/s) than either CC (1.47 m/s), C-IC (0.97 m/s), or CF-6 (mean = 1.96 m/s) neurons. A decrease in antidromic latency (the "supernormal" period) followed a single prior impulse in most CC, C-IC, and CF-6 neurons but was minimal or absent in CF-5 neurons. Although all but two CF-5 neurons responded to peripheral sensory stimulation, many CC (35%), C-IC (59%), or CF-6 (66%) neurons did not. CC, CF-5, and CF-6 neurons that did not respond to sensory stimulation had significantly lower axonal conduction velocities and spontaneous firing rates than those that responded to such stimulation. 4. Sensory receptive fields of neurons in motor cortex were considerably larger than those observed in S-1 but were similar in size to those seen in secondary somatosensory cortex (S-2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Focal point location and inversion perception among New Zealand Maori and Pakeha children at two age levels.
The purpose of the investigation was to determine whether differences in focal point dependency in inversion perception exist among New Zealand Maori (N = 42) and Pakeha (N = 44) boys and girls at two age levels. Ss were five- and eight-year-old children individually exposed to 12 figure pairs. The task was to indicate one figure of each pair as appearing upside down. Significant focal point dependency was exhibited for all groups (p less than .01). Significant differences in focal point dependency were found between five- and eight-year-old Pakeha children (p less than .025) and between eight-year-old Maori and eight-year-old Pakeha children (p less than .05).


Phylogeny of the genus Willemia (Collembola: Hypogastruridae) and biogeography of the W. buddenbrocki-group with description of a new species from Ivory Coast (western Africa).
Willemia tondoh sp. nov. from the Ivory Coast (western Africa) is described and illustrated. The new species is the 14th in the buddenbrocki-group and is defined with two large globular sensilla placed in a cavity and covered in part by tegumental fold on antennal segment IV, 7 chaetae on antennal segment I, postantennal organ with 9 vesicles, s-chaetae subcylindrical and acuminate on abdominal terga and chaetae a1 absent on abdominal sternum IV. A phylogeny for all the 46 species of the genus Willemia is proposed. Based on the phylogentic framework, the biogeography of the buddenbrocki-group is discussed. An identification key for all 46 known species of the genus is provided.


Headspace gas chromatographic determination of residual 1,3-butadiene in rubber-modified plastics and its migration from plastic containers into selected foods.
A headspace gas chromatographic procedure has been developed for the determination of 1,3-butadiene in rubber-modified plastics and in some foods. Polymer solutions or foods are equilibrated in sealed vials at 90 degrees C, and headspace samples are injected into a gas chromatograph. 1,3-Butadiene residues are measured using a flame ionization detector and are quantitated by the method of standard additions or an external calibration curve. Refrigerator tubs, vegetable oil bottles, chewing gum, and foods in contact with this type of packaging were analyzed. Limits of quantitation varied with the matrix, ranging from 2 ng/g (ppb) in chewing gum to 20 ng/g in polymers. 1,3-Butadiene was found in one polymer at 53 ng/g with an 8% coefficient of variation. The procedure yields "apparent" trace levels of 1,3-butadiene, and confirmation by a complementary technique is required.


Differentiation of rat hippocampal neurons induced by estrogen in vitro: effects on neuritogenesis and Na, K-ATPase activity.
To gain insight into the mechanisms responsible for differentiation of hippocampal neurons growing in vitro, the effects of estrogen on neuritic development and on activity and distribution of isoforms of the Na, K-ATPase, were evaluated. Dissociated cells from hippocampi of 19-day-old rat fetuses were raised for 5 days in the presence or absence of 100 nM estradiol-17 beta (E2) in minimum essential medium supplemented either with 10% untreated fetal calf serum (MEM-10) or with 10% fetal calf serum previously adsorbed with dextran-activated charcoal (MEM-10-Cha). Cultures in MEM-10 showed larger neuritic length and increased levels of Na, K-ATPase activity than cultures in MEM-10-Cha. In cells cultured in MEM-10 medium, the addition of E2 resulted in selective enhancement of axonal length with a concomitant increase in the alpha-2 isoform of the Na, K-ATPase, whereas a decrease was found in the form most sensitive to ouabain; the total enzymatic activity remained unchanged. Conversely, in cultures raised in MEM-10-Cha, E2 did not affect Na, K-ATPase activity or neuritogenesis. These results show that two presumably independent probes of cellular differentiation of hippocampal neurons (i.e., neuritogenesis and patterns of Na, K-ATPase activity) were concurrently regulated by E2 and that such regulation depended on interaction with factor(s) present in calf serum. The well-known neuritogenic effect of E2 is hereby extended to hippocampal neurons, although for these cells it seems to be restricted to axons.


Effect of therapeutic doses of radiotherapy on the organic and inorganic contents of the deciduous enamel: an in vitro study.
This study evaluated the effects of radiotherapy on the composition of deciduous teeth enamel using micro-energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy before and after a pH cycling process. Ten deciduous molars were sectioned and divided into two groups (n = 10). The radiotherapy group (RT) was irradiated with 54 Gy at 2 Gy/day, 5 days per week for 5 weeks and 2 days, and the normal group (N) was not irradiated. The RT group was evaluated before radiotherapy (RTb), after radiotherapy (RTa), and after radiotherapy and pH cycling (RTc). The normal group was evaluated before (N) and after pH cycling (Nc). The weight percentage (wt%) of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and organic content; the Ca/P ratio; and the integrated area of the Raman bands relative to the organic, carbonate, and phosphate contents were also evaluated. The exclusive use of RT reduced the organic content of the enamel (p = 0.000). The RTc group exhibited a decrease in P wt% (p = 0.016), an increase in the Ca/P ratio (p = 0.000), and a reduction in the integrated area of the phosphate band (p = 0.046). An increase in the Ca/P ratio (p = 0.000) and a reduction in the areas of the carbonate and phosphate bands were found in the RTb/RTc treatments. RT application at a therapeutic dose reduced the organic content of the deciduous enamel. Preventive measures should be included in the patient treatment protocol because of RT-induced chemical changes to the deciduous enamel.


Delayed spontaneous pubertal growth spurt in girls with the Ullrich-Turner syndrome.
By means of an appropriate mathematical model (Sager's 2-components-concept) a delayed spontaneous pubertal growth spurt can be demonstrated in girls with 45,X Ullrich-Turner syndrome (UTS) (n1 = 45) as well as in those with 45,X/46,XX mosaicism (n2 = 14) never treated with any growth stimulating drug. On the average, this growth spurt begins later and its extent is smaller (mean growth rate = 3.10 and 2.79 cm, respectively, in the 15th year of chronological age) than in normal girls. The delay in acute growth spurt corresponds very well to the delay of skeletal maturation in the UTS (on the average 2 to 3 years of chronological age).


[Value of plasma tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and factor VII assessments in patients with acute myocardial and cerebral infarction].
To study the clinical implications of changes in plasma tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and factor VII (FVII) after the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute cerebral infarction (ACI). Sixty-nine patients with AMI, 71 with ACI and 50 age-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were obtained from the healthy subjects and from the patients at the early stage of AMI and ACI onset for examination of plasma TF and TFPI activity using chromogenic assay, and the plasma TF and TFPI antigens were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The plasma FVII coagulation activity (FVII:C) was also measured, and the plasma FVIIa determined using soluble TF assay. Compared with the healthy control group, AMI patients had significantly enhanced plasma TF and TFPI activities and elevated TF and TFPI antigen levels (P<0.05), with also markedly increased FVIIa (P<0.05) but comparable FVII:C (P>0.05). In ACI patients, the plasma TF activity and antigen were obviously increased in comparison with the control group (P<0.05), but plasma TFPI activity and antigen were lowered (P<0.05), and both the FVII:C and FVIIa were markedly higher (P<0.05). Significant differences were noted in plasma TF and TFPI activities and their antigen levels as well as in FVII:C, but not in FVIIa between AMI and ACI patients. V Following the onset of AMI and ACI, TF pathway is initiated and the risk of thrombogenesis increases, and the assessment of TF pathway is therefore of value for understanding the development of the condition.


The effect of the nurturant bonding system on child security of attachment and dependency.
This paper uses a biopsychosocial theory of human bonding to explore the intergenerational transmission of bonding traits. More specifically, it examines how the nurturant bonding system of the mother affects the succorant bonding system of the young child. In the first section of the paper, we take the bonding framework proposed by Miller and Rodgers (2001) and elaborate its implications for mother-child dyads. Next, we describe the collection of data from 78 mothers prior to their pregnancy with an index child and again when that child is between the ages of two and four and a half. These data allow the creation of a number of mother and child variables that are derived from the bonding framework. Using these variables, we construct a temporally organized, structural equation model of maternal effects on the child, with the two main outcome variables being child security of attachment and child dependency. We then test the model using LISREL. Although the results are tentative and require further confirmatory research, they lend support to three broad hypotheses derived from the bonding framework. In particular, the results support the construct of a motivational substrate that affects both maternal childbearing and her child-rearing behaviors. They also indicate the importance of child temperament in the formation of the succorant bond. Finally, they demonstrate that the preconception nurturant characteristics of the mother have multiple effects on the two main outcome variables, child security of attachment and dependency. Two submodels based on predictors of these two outcomes reveal a number of pathways along which these effects take place. We conclude with a brief discussion of the lessons learned that might strengthen future studies of mother-child bonding and, more generally, the intergenerational transmission of bonding traits.


Inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) measured with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can be used to derive the central venous pressure (CVP) in anesthetized mechanically ventilated patients.
Estimation of right atrial pressure (RAP) from variations in the diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC) during the respiratory cycle using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is used routinely to calculate pulmonary artery systolic pressure, adding to right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) from the jet velocity of tricuspid regurgitation. Using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) we sought to determine if the inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) could be used to derive the central venous pressure (CVP) in anesthetized, mechanically ventilated patients. The IVCD was measured in its long axis (bicaval view) at the cavo-atrial junction using TEE and ECG synchronization (to coincide with the end of the T-wave) in 95 anesthetized, mechanically ventilated patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Each patient received a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) that allowed for continuous monitoring of the CVP. Three independent readers were assigned to document the IVCD and the CVP. Statistical analysis was performed using bivariate correlation, variance (ANOVA), linear regression, Bland-Altman and Passing-Bablock analysis of agreement. The IVCD measured in millimeters at the cavo-atrial junction showed a positive correlation with the CVP (n = 95, r = 0.860, P < 0.0001, r(2)= 0.737, P < 0.0001). The linear regression equation [CVPc = (IVCD-4.004/0.751] was prospectively tested in a cohort of 12 anesthetized, mechanically ventilated patients under various hemodynamic conditions with a good correlation between the mean CVP (CVPm) and the calculated CVP (CVPc) (r = 0.923, P < 0.0001, r(2)= 0.851, P < 0.0001). The TEE measured IVCD at the cavo-atrial junction showed a statistically significant correlation with the mean CVP. Using an equation derived from linear regression analysis, a reliable CVP can be estimated from the IVCD.


Altered pituitary sensitivity to corticotropin-releasing factor and arginine vasopressin participates in the stress hyporesponsiveness of lactation in the rat.
The regulation of the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is modified during lactation, wherein a blunted stress-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and glucocorticoid secretion is coupled with elevated basal secretion of these hormones. The involvement of pituitary modifications in lactation-induced stress hyporesponsiveness has yet to be established. In this study we tested the hypothesis that the pituitary sensitivity to corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) is altered in lactation in the rat. We examined the effect of exogenous CRF (0.1-5 microg/rat), AVP (0.01-0.5 microg/rat), and AVP (0.01-0.5 microg/rat)+CRF (0.1 microg/rat) on the ACTH response of virgin, mid-lactating (lactation day 10-12) females, as well as nursing females separated from their pups for 48 h. Additionally, to determine if changes in CRF- or AVP-receptor densities might mediate alterations in pituitary sensitivity, we compared pituitary CRF- and AVP-receptor binding by autoradiography in pregnant, mid-lactating, and virgin female rats. While both virgin and lactating female rats exhibited significant ACTH responses to CRF, the responses to the highest doses of CRF (2.0 and 5.0 microg/rat) were greater in virgin than in lactating females. Separation of the litter for 48 h partially restored pituitary responsiveness to 2.0 microg of CRF. Conversely, whereas lactating females displayed robust ACTH secretion following a high dose of AVP or following a combination of AVP+CRF, the response of virgin females was much smaller. These modifications in pituitary responsiveness were not accompanied by significant differences in pituitary CRF-and AVP-receptors levels between female groups. Our results demonstrate that a reduction in pituitary sensitivity to CRF, but not to AVP occur during lactation in the rat which mediates, at least in part, the stress hyporesponsiveness of lactation.


The stigma of widowhood in war and disaster affected communities of Sri Lanka: Contextual paths between trauma exposure and mental health distress.
To add to the dialogue regarding the long-term recovery and wellbeing of war and tsunami-affected women in Sri Lanka, we utilised the Conservation of Resources Theory (COR, Hobfoll, 2009) to inform an investigation of direct and indirect effects. The study was specifically designed to assess how traumatic exposure may represent a form of loss which may associate with related losses in the form of external and internal stigma which may then associate with poor mental health outcomes. The data for this study were collected in 2016 from a sample of 379 widowed women in Eastern Sri Lanka; participant spouses died in the civil war, in the tsunami, or from health or other problems. Our analyses yielded a model suggesting associations between remembered trauma event exposure from war and disaster, external stigma, internalised stigma and mental health symptom distress. Results further yielded direct and indirect effects suggesting that trauma may represent a form of loss, and potentially lead to distress through the weight and challenges of stigma.


2'-amino-modified ribonucleotides as probes for local interactions within RNA.
The 2'-hydroxyl group plays an integral role in RNA structure and catalysis. This ubiquitous component of the RNA backbone can participate in multiple interactions essential for RNA function, such as hydrogen bonding and metal ion coordination, but the multifunctional nature of the 2'-hydroxyl renders identification of these interactions a significant challenge. By virtue of their versatile physicochemical properties, such as distinct metal coordination preferences, hydrogen bonding properties, and ability to be protonated, 2'-amino-2'-deoxyribonucleotides can serve as tools for probing local interactions involving 2'-hydroxyl groups within RNA. The 2'-amino group can also serve as a chemoselective site for covalent modification, permitting the introduction of probes for investigation of RNA structure and dynamics. In this chapter, we describe the use of 2'-aminonucleotides for investigation of local interactions within RNA, focusing on interactions involving 2'-hydroxyl groups required for RNA structure, function, and catalysis.


Precise dosage of an endogenous mutagen in the immune system.
Four decades ago, it was hypothesized that lymphocytes mutate the immunoglobulin loci at a rate much greater than the spontaneous rate. Over time this Ig somatic hypermutation became the prime example of in vivo, site-directed mutagenesis. But recent studies have demonstrated that this is not necessarily the case, and that hypermutation occurs not only at the Ig locus but also at various locations throughout the genome. Here, we propose that hypermutation can be genome-wide with minimal injury, if a sufficient mutation rate is coupled with strong clonal selection.


Perceived location specificity in perceptual separation-induced but not fear conditioning-induced enhancement of prepulse inhibition in rats.
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is the suppression of the startle reflex when the startling stimulus is shortly preceded by a non-startling stimulus (the prepulse). Previous studies have shown that both fear conditioning of a prepulse and precedence-effect-induced perceptual separation between the conditioned prepulse and a noise masker facilitate selective attention to the prepulse and consequently enhance PPI with a remarkable prepulse-feature specificity. This study investigated whether the two types of attentional enhancements of PPI in rats also exhibit a prepulse-location specificity. The results showed that when a prepulse was delivered by each of the two spatially separated loudspeakers, fear conditioning of the prepulse at a particularly perceived location (left or right to the tested rat) enhanced PPI without exhibiting any perceived-location specificity. However, when a noise masker was presented, the precedence-effect-induced perceptual separation between the conditioned prepulse and the noise masker further enhanced PPI when the prepulse was perceived as coming from the location that was conditioned but not the location without being conditioned. Moreover, both conditioning-induced and perceptual separation-induced PPI enhancements were eliminated by extinction learning, whose effect could be blocked by systemic injection of the selective antagonist of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5), 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP). Thus, fear conditioning of a prepulse perceived at a particular location not only facilitates selective attention to the conditioned prepulse but also induces a learning-based spatial gating effect on the spatial unmasking of the conditioned prepulse, leading to that the perceptual separation-induced PPI enhancement becomes perceived-location specific.


Heat shock does not attenuate low-frequency fatigue.
Whole-body hyperthermia or heat shock confers protection to myocardial contractility against reperfusion-induced injury. The purpose of this study was to determine whether heat shock could provide similar protection to skeletal muscle contractility against low-frequency fatigue. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 rats/group) were heat shocked at 41.5 degrees C for 15 min either 24 h or 4 days prior to fatiguing stimulation to compare the contractile responses of the plantaris muscle with those of a nonheated group. Both 24 h and 4 days after heat shock, the 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) was elevated above control levels. There were no differences between the heat-shocked and non-heat-shocked animals in measures of contractility prior to fatiguing contractions or in resistance to fatigue. Heat-shock preconditioning did not lead to improved postfatigue force recovery above control responses and, in fact, delayed the recovery of force. This study does not support the use of heat-shock therapy to improve skeletal muscle contractile performance under fatiguing conditions.


Effects of an intraoperative infusion of 4% succinylated gelatine (Gelofusine(R)) and 6% hydroxyethyl starch (Voluven(R)) on blood volume.
This study aims to study changes in blood volume after 1 litre infusions of Gelofusine(®) [4% succinylated gelatine in 0.7% saline, weight-average molecular weight (MWw) 30 kDa] and Voluven(®) (6% hydroxyethyl starch in 0.9% saline, MWw 130 kDa) in the presence of increased capillary permeability. In this randomized double-blind study, adults undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy received 1 litre of Gelofusine(®) (n=12) or Voluven(®) (n=13) over 1 h at the induction of anaesthesia. No other fluids were given. Haematocrit, serum electrolytes, and osmolality were measured before infusion and hourly thereafter for 4 h. Changes in blood volume were calculated from changes in haematocrit. The urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) was measured before and after operation. Baseline parameters before the two infusions were similar (P>0.050). The urinary ACR increased significantly after operation after Gelofusine(®) (P=0.011) and Voluven(®) (P=0.002), indicating increased capillary permeability. Voluven(®) produced a greater increase in serum chloride concentration (P=0.028) and a larger decrease in strong ion difference (P=0.009) than Gelofusine(®). There were no significant differences in changes in haematocrit (P=0.523) and blood volume (P=0.404) over the study period when the two infusions were compared, nor were there any differences in serum sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and albumin concentrations (P>0.050). Urine output, sodium concentration, and osmolality were similar after the two infusions (P>0.050). The blood volume-expanding effects of the two colloids were not significantly different, despite the increase in postoperative urinary ACR and the 100 kDa difference in MWw.


The Bloom syndrome protein interacts and cooperates with p53 in regulation of transcription and cell growth control.
Bloom syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with mutations in BLM gene encoding protein that belongs to the family of DNA helicases. It is characterized by predisposition to cancer, immunodeficiency, high sensitivity to UV and genomic instability of somatic cells. Here we show physical and functional cooperation between BLM and p53 proteins. Ectopic expression of BLM causes anti-proliferative effect in p53 wild type, but not in p53-deficient cells; p53-mediated transactivation is attenuated in primary fibroblasts from Bloom syndrome patients. BLM and p53 proteins physically interact in the cells as demonstrated in yeast and mammalian two-hybrid systems; interaction sites are mapped to 237-272 aa residues of BML and 285-340 aa of p53. Ectopic expression of the fragment of wild type BML containing p53-interactive domain suppresses p53-mediated transcription and interferes with p53-mediated growth inhibition. These observations indicate that BLM might be an important component of p53 function and suggest that Bloom Syndrome phenotype may in part be the result of the deregulation of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway.


Papineau debridement, Ilizarov bone transport, and negative-pressure wound closure for septic bone defects of the tibia.
Ilizarov pioneered bone transport using a circular external fixator. Papineau described a staged technique for the treatment for infected pseudarthrosis of the long bones. This article presents a single-stage Papineau technique and Ilizarov bone transport, and postoperative negative-pressure wound dressing changes for septic bone defects of the tibia. We studied the files of seven patients (mean age, 32 years) with septic bone defects of the tibia treated with a Papineau technique and Ilizarov bone transport in a single stage, followed by postoperative negative-pressure wound dressing changes. All patients had septic pseudarthrosis and skin necrosis of the tibia. The technique included a single-stage extensive surgical debridement of necrotic bone, open bone grafting with cancellous bone autograft and bone transport, and postoperative negative-pressure wound dressing changes for wound closure. The mean time from the initial injury was 6 months (range, 4-8 months). The mean follow-up was 14 months (range, 10-17 months). All patients experienced successful wound healing at a mean of 29 days. Six patients experienced successful bone regeneration and union at the docking side at a mean of 6 months. One patient experienced delayed union at the docking site, which was treated with autologous cancellous bone grafting. Two patients experienced pin track infection, which was successfully treated with antibiotics and pin site dressing changes. All patients were able to return to their work and previous levels of activity, except one patient who had a stiff ankle joint and had to change his job. No patient experienced recurrence of infection, or fracture of the regenerated or transported bone segment until the period of this study. The combined Papineau and Ilizarov bone transport technique with negative-pressure wound closure provides for successful eradication of the infection, reconstruction of the bone defect, and soft-tissue closure. A single-stage surgical treatment is feasible, without any complications.


Suppression of Grb2 expression improved hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by palmitic acid in vitro partly through insulin signaling alteration.
In this study, we aimed to study the role of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) in palmitic acid-induced steatosis and other "fatty liver" symptoms in vitro. HepG2 cells, with or without stably suppressed Grb2 expression, were incubated with palmitic acid for 24 h to induce typical clinical "fatty liver" features, including steatosis, impaired glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. MTT and Oil Red O assays were applied to test cell viability and fat deposition, respectively. Glucose uptake assay was used to evaluate the glucose utilization of cells. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to measure expressional changes of key markers of insulin signaling, lipid/glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. After 24-h palmitic acid induction, increased fat accumulation, reduced glucose uptake, impaired insulin signaling, enhanced oxidative stress, and increased apoptosis were observed in HepG2 cells. Suppression of Grb2 in HepG2 significantly reduced fat accumulation, improved glucose metabolism, ameliorated oxidative stress, and restored the activity of insulin receptor substrate-1/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways. In addition, Grb2 deficiency attenuated hepatic apoptosis shown by reduced activation of caspase-3 and fluorescent staining. Modulation of Bcl-2 and Bak1 also contributed to reduced apoptosis. In conclusion, suppression of Grb2 expression in HepG2 cells improved hepatic steatosis, glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by palmitic acid incubation partly though modulating the insulin signaling pathway.


Increased affluence, life history theory, and the decline of shamanism.
I applaud Singh's proposition to use evolutionary psychology to explain the recurrence of shamanistic beliefs. Here, I suggest that evolutionary mechanisms (i.e., life history theory) also can explain the variability of the distribution of shamanism. When resources are abundant, individuals become more patient and more open minded to the point that science becomes cognitively attractive and may replace magic.


Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma with huge retroperitoneal metastasis.
Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma (SRC) is a very rare form of renal neoplasm with very poor prognosis. A case of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRC) is reported herein at the National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology (NIKDU), Dhaka. A 40 year old man presented with swelling in right loin with dragging abdominal pain and intermittent low grade fever. A huge, fleshy and highly vascular retroperitoneal mass was found peroperatively. Tumor affected the lower pole of right kidney invading the renal capsule, perinephric fat and continued to grow as a large tumor mass in the right retroperitoneal space Histologically, it revealed the features of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma.


Surface antigens on transplantable tumor cell lines producing mouse type C viruses.
A variety of transplantable mouse tumor lines were shown to contain murine type C viruses and virus-associated antigens. The type of virus isolated and antigens detected could not invariably be correlated with the original method of tumor induction, but testing of the majority of tumor lines for infectious virus at various levels of in vivo or in vitro passage yielded isolates that were consistent in tissue culture host range for each tumor. In contrast, during the course of in vivo transplantation, some of the lines underwent considerable change in the pattern of virus-associated cell-surface antigens. When the transplanted tumor lines were placed into culture, all showed some alteration in the detectable surface antigens. Upon retransplantation and passage of the cultured cells in mice, the surface antigens gradually returned to the original in vivo patterns and occasionally acquired additional type C virus-associated antigens not detected in the original tumor line. To test for association of antigens with infectious virus, appropriate tissue culture cell lines were infected with the viruses isolated from the tumors. In these infected indicator cells, some new virus-associated cell-surface and virion evelope antigens were detected, but the complete array of antigens found in the original tumor lines was not acquired. These findings indicated the presence of several different type C viruses in long transplanted cell lines and demonstrated that environmental and host cell factors may have major influences on expression of virus-associated antigens.


Prevalence and mechanism of streptokinase-induced platelet stimulation. Effect of acetylsalicylic acid.
It was recently shown that streptokinase may induce clot formation in vivo by immunoglobulin G mediated platelet stimulation. We evaluated the in vitro effect of streptokinase on platelet function in 103 subjects, of whom 52 were < or = 30 years and 51 were > or = 50 years old. Although streptokinase inhibited platelet aggregation in the majority of cases, in nine the threshold concentration of ADP required to induce irreversible aggregation decreased with streptokinase (1 million Units. l-1) by 30% or more. This observation was confirmed in five of the nine by repeated measurements indicating reproducible streptokinase-induced platelet stimulation. Among the five, two were < or = 30, and three were > or = 50 years old. In none of the five subjects did the radio allergo sorbent test detect type E immunoglobulins directed against streptokinase in the serum. In contrast, in four of the five subjects, streptokinase-induced platelet hyperaggregability was suppressed by addition of goat antibodies against human immunoglobulin G, or F(ab')2-fragments of such antibodies. Acetylsalicylic acid did not prevent streptokinase-induced platelet stimulation, but in three of five cases, led to an increase in the control threshold concentration for ADP, so that after the decrease induced by streptokinase the threshold concentration for ADP was in the same range as before acetylsalicylic acid and streptokinase administration. Thus, streptokinase led to an inhibition of platelet aggregation in the majority of subjects evaluated. In a minority of five out of 103, however, streptokinase reproducibly caused platelet stimulation, presumably mediated by immunoglobulin G.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


[Failure to thrive in childhood].
Failure to thrive is a state of malnutrition in a child due to inadequate caloric intake, inadequate caloric absorption, or excessive caloric expenditure. This all can lead to underweight and retarded growing, but also to a possible impairment of the immune system, as well as an impairment of the psychomotoric and cognitive development of a child. The aim of this article is to offer sound knowledge to the practising physician about definition, prevalence, etiology, diagnostic evaluation and therapy of failure to thrive.


Synthesis and biological evaluation of new quinazoline and cinnoline derivatives as potential atypical antipsychotics.
Four new diaza analogues (14, 15, 23, and 24) of the conformationally constrained aminobutyrophenone derivatives QF0104B (5) and QF0108B (6) were synthesized (Schemes 2 and 3), and evaluated for their binding affinities (Table) towards the serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C, and the dopamine D2 receptors. Among the new compounds, the quinazoline derivative 15 (= 7-{[4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidin-1-yl]methyl}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinazolin-5-one) exhibited the highest affinities towards the serotonin 5-HT2A and dopamine D2 receptors, and it is in the borderline of potential atypical antipsychotics. The cinnoline derivative 23 (= 7-{[4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidin-1-yl]methyl}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3-methylcinnolin-5-one) displayed high selectivity in its binding profile towards the 5-HT2C compared to both the 5-HT2A and D2 receptors.


Intramolecular carbolithiation reactions for the preparation of 3-alkenylpyrrolidines.
Tin-lithium exchange allows the formation of alpha-amino-organolithium species that undergo anionic cyclization onto allylic ethers to give 3-alkenylpyrrolidines. The methodology has been applied to the synthesis of an advanced intermediate related to the natural product (-)-alpha-kainic acid.


Adrenal cortical adenoma and adrenal medullary hyperplasia of the right adrenal gland--a case report.
The normal adrenal gland contains two types of tissue, the adrenal cortical tissue and the adrenal medullary tissue. The cortex is divided into three portions: the outermost "zona glomerulosa," the central "zona fasciculata," and the innermost "zona recticularis." The adrenal medulla is a developmentally separate organ, derived from neuroectoderm, and is the site of epinephrine and norepinephrine production. Adrenal cortical adenoma is commonly the result of a basophilic tumor of the anterior pituitary that secretes excessive amounts of ACTH. Adrenal medullary hyperplasia (or pheochromocytoma) are clinically hazardous tumors because of their excessive secretion of catecholamines. Combined adrenal cortical adenoma and adrenal medullary hyperplasia of the right adrenal gland has never been described previously.


Synthesis of a trisulfated heparan sulfate disaccharide analog and its use as a template for preliminary molecular imprinting studies.
A heparan sulfate disaccharide analog was synthesized by a multistep route. This synthesis was designed in such a way that one intermediate could be selectively deprotected to provide versatility during both synthesis and homologation of heparan sulfate related polysaccharides. Non-covalent imprinted polymers were prepared by using the synthesized disaccharide as a template and a primary amine functionalized acrylate as the key functional monomer suitable for specific sulfated sugar recognition. The binding of related sugars to the imprinted and non-imprinted polymers and the binding of template to the chemically modified polymers have been also investigated.


Low energy density diets are associated with favorable nutrient intake profile and adequacy in free-living elderly men and women.
Nutrient adequacy in the diet is of paramount importance to physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to characterize the dietary pattern associated with a low energy density diet and determine its nutrient adequacy in elderly men and women. The subjects were men (n = 1150) and women (n = 1094) >65 y, examined in 2 population-based cross-sectional surveys (2000 and 2005) in northeast Spain (Girona). Dietary data were recorded using a 165-item FFQ. Reduced rank regression (RRR) analysis was used to identify an energy density-associated dietary pattern. A nutrient adequacy score (NAS) and Mediterranean diet score (MDS) were computed to estimate the association of diet adequacy with energy density. The RRR-derived factor (dietary pattern) predicted 75.4% of the variance in energy density of the diet. Vegetables, fruits, legumes, cooked potatoes, and low-fat milk and yogurt were key to the low energy density of the diet. Higher proportions of men and women consuming low energy density diets met dietary recommendations for total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, total fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate, calcium, and magnesium than their peers on high energy density diets. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed an inverse association (P < 0.001) of the NAS and MDS with energy density and energy density-related patterns. A low energy density diet has a higher capacity to prevent nutrient deficiency, despite lower energy content, than a high energy density diet in the elderly population studied.


Antiepileptic drug utilization: a Danish prescription database analysis.
The purpose of the study was to use prescription data from a Danish database to analyse and evaluate antiepileptic drug (AED) utilization, and compare with other prevalence studies. A Danish research database covering outpatient prescription data from a population of 471,873 persons was used. Prescription records on all patients prescribed AEDs during 1998 were retrieved. A cohort was extracted from the group of AED users. We identified 5426 AED users. A total of 3756 of the 5426 AED users were included in our cohort. Of the subjects in the cohort 74% were on monotherapy, 19% used two AEDs and only 7% used three or more AEDs. The eight most frequent regimens were all monotherapy: carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, valproic acid, lamotrigine, clonazepam, phenytoin and primidon in that order. The estimated crude 1-year prevalence of AED use was 0.77% for women and 0.83% for men (P<0.001), and it increased with age for both genders. The prescription pattern reported here is in accordance with the general guidelines for the treatment of epilepsy in Denmark, except for a surprisingly extensive use of phenobarbital. With specific reservations the figures appear to be reasonable estimates of the prevalence of epilepsy.


Stretch-induced increase in the Ca2+ sensitivity of myofibrillar ATPase activity in skinned fibres from pig ventricles.
The increase in force development in the heart with increase in end-diastolic pressure (Frank-Starling mechanism) has been ascribed to an increase in contractile responsiveness of the myofibrils to calcium. We now show that this calcium sensitization is also associated with an increase in calcium responsiveness of the myofibrillar ATPase. Thus, at submaximal Ca activation (pCa 6.0), the ATPase activity of skinned fibres from pig right ventricles is increased from 57.9 +/- 4.4% to 70.6 +/- 4.4% of the maximal Ca2+ activation of ATPase by stretching (by 15% lo). At maximal Ca2+ activation, ATPase was barely altered by stretching. The relationship between ATPase activity of skinned trabecula of pig right ventricle and ATPase-Ca2+ concentrations is shifted (by 0.1 pCa unit) to higher pCa values after a stretch-induced increase of the sarcomere length from 2.1 microns to 2.4 microns. The relationship between force and pCa was affected in a similar way by extension. This increased calcium sensitivity is, however, not associated with an alteration in the relationship between ATPase activity and force development (tension cost). In accordance with Brenner's hypothesis, we propose therefore that stretch activation of ATPase is associated with an increase in the apparent rate constant of crossbridge attachment rather than with a decrease in the apparent rate constant of crossbridge detachment.


Interaction of hypercaloric diet and physical exercise on lipid profile, oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses.
The present study examined the interaction of hypercaloric diet (HD) and physical exercise on lipid profile and oxidative stress in serum and liver of rats. Male Wistar rats (60-days-old) were fed with a control (C) and hypercaloric diet (H). Each of the two dietary groups (C and H) was divided into three subgroups (n=8), sedentary (CS and HS), exercised 2days a week (CE2 and HE2) and exercised 5days a week (CE5 and HE5). The swimming was selected as a model for exercise performance. After 8-weeks exercised rats showed decreased lactate dehydrogenase serum activities, demonstrating the effectiveness of the swimming as an aerobic-training protocol. Exercise 5-days a week reduced the body weight gain. Triacylglycerol (TG) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) were increased in HD-fed rats. HE5 and CE5 rats had decreased TG, VLDL-C and cholesterol. HE2 rats had enhanced high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) in serum. No alterations were observed in lipid hydroperoxide (LH), while total antioxidant substances (TAS) were increased in serum of exercised rats. HD-fed rats had hepatic TG accumulation. Superoxide dismutase activities were increased and catalase was decreased in liver of exercised rats. The interaction of HD and physical exercise reduced TAS and enhanced LH levels in hepatic tissue. In conclusion, this study confirmed the beneficial effect of physical exercise as a dyslipidemic-lowering component. Interaction of HD and physical exercise had discrepant effects on serum and liver oxidative stress. The interaction of HD and physical exercise reduced the oxidative stress in serum. HD and physical exercise interaction had pro-oxidant effect on hepatic tissue, suggesting that more studies should be done before using physical exercise as an adjunct therapy to reduce the adverse effects of HD.