Gastrointestinal problems in diabetes

Gastrointestinal symptoms are often encountered in patients with diabetes mellitus. Symptoms may arise in any region of the alimentary tract; common symptoms are heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, fecal incontinence, and abdominal pain. This article reviews practical approaches to the identification of the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in diabetic enteropathies and their complications and briefly outlines strategies to treat these symptoms. Particular emphasis is placed on applied physiologic tests and the choice of pharmacotherapy (e.g., cisapride, erythromycin, or octeotide). The current role of pancreatic transplantations also is briefly reviewed.     

Molecular analysis of cellulose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Cellulose, an abundant, crystalline polysaccharide, is central to plant morphogenesis and to many industries. Chemical and ultrastructural analyses together with map-based cloning indicate that the RSW1 locus of Arabidopsis encodes the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase. The cloned gene complements the rsw1 mutant whose temperature-sensitive allele is changed in one amino acid. The mutant allele causes a specific reduction in cellulose synthesis, accumulation of noncrystalline beta-1,4-glucan, disassembly of cellulose synthase, and widespread morphological abnormalities. Microfibril crystallization may require proper assembly of the RSW1 gene product into synthase complexes whereas glucan biosynthesis per se does not.     

Air damping of high performance resonating micro-mirrors with angular vertical comb-drive actuators

Microsystem Technologies - The maximum scan angle amplitude of resonating micro-mirrors, intended for micro-projection display applications is limited by air damping. Three-dimensional transient...     

A Flexible Conformal Piezoresistive Sensor Based on Electrospinning for Deformation Monitoring of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials are widely applied in various areas as key structure components. The structural health monitoring of the CFRP components is crucial to prevent catastrophic failure. However, the nonplane surfaces of CFRP components hinder the attaching of monitoring sensors with hard substrates. Therefore, the substrate conditions for sensor preparation are mainly considered in this study. To adapt the proposed sensors to the curved substrate, including nondevelopable surfaces, electrospinning method is used to prepare conformal piezoresistive fiber films, in which polymethyl methacrylate is served as the matrix and carbon nanotubes are utilized as the conductive filler. The piezoresistive fibers covered on CFRP substrates have a gauge factor up to 207.95 and can response to the strain less than 0.05%. Moreover, the sensor also has high durability and the ability to follow the dynamic excitation signals with as high as 50 Hz.     

A probe for the versatile analysis and characterization of N-linked oligosaccharides

A novel fluorescent probe, 3-(acetylamino)-6-aminoacridine (AA-Ac), has been synthesized and its applicability to the analysis of picomole levels of N-linked glycans investigated. AA-Ac was found to be an excellent derivatization reagent for N-linked glycans, giving at least twice the intensity of fluorescence as its predecessor 2-aminoacridone. AA-Ac-labeled glycans were analyzed by both normal and reversed-phase HPLC. They were also amenable to enzymatic sequencing and analysis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, free zone capillary electrophoresis, and capillary electrophoresis/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.     

Renin localization in segmental renal hypoplasia. Immunohistochemical demonstration in two cases

The distribution of renin in two cases of segmental renal hypoplasia was investigated by immunofluorescence and the peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) method using an anti-human renin antiserum. Renin-containing cells were found only in hypoplasic segments in the vicinity of altered glomeruli and small arteries. Well-preserved renal cortex and areas of chronic atrophic pyelonephritis failed to show any demonstrable site of renin production. Whatever is the mechanism of the disease, the characterization of large numbers of renin-containing cells in the affected kidney support a role for the renin-angiotensin system stimulation in this form of hypertension.     

Evaluation of the effect of tracer pH on the sealing ability of glass ionomer cement and mineral trioxide aggregate

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability and physical and chemical properties of glass ionomer cement (GIC) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) using Rhodamine B at different pHs as tracer. METHODS: Chemical analysis, pH and micro-hardness of GIC and MTA were performed. In addition dye leakage was assessed by tracer leakage using Tandem Scanning Confocal Microscope (TSM) after immersion of premolar teeth in a stock and a buffered fluorescent Rhodamine B for 24 h. Ultra-structural changes within the materials were evaluated by viewing under the field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). RESULTS: GIC and MTA showed elemental peaks for silicon, aluminium and calcium while MTA also had bismuth. GIC was acidic (P = 0.001) and caused an increase in dye pH (P = 0). Immersion of MTA in any of the test solutions resulted in an increase in the pH of the solution (P < 0.05). Use of a dye solution of lower pH than the material under test increased the cement micro-hardness. GIC demonstrated marginal leakage on TSM and both increase in marginal leakage and material porosity on FESEM. MTA was not affected by the use of acidic dye but showed a tendency to take up dye within the material shown on TSM. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of marginal adaptation of dental materials was shown to be dependent on the technique used for viewing the material to tooth interface, the properties of the material under study and the pH of the dye used.     

A survey of clinical psychology training in Canadian federal corrections: Implications for psychologist recruitment and retention.

Although survey results seem to indicate an abundant interest among Canadian psychology graduate students in pursuing training in criminal justice psychology, the recruitment and retention of psychologists in the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has been of some concern. The present study is a 2008 survey of sites within CSC that provide opportunities for clinical psychology training with offender clientele. Survey findings demonstrated that a broad range of clinical psychology training opportunities were available across 16 sites. The most frequently cited barrier to providing training was lack of time by prospective trainers, and sites reported retaining relatively few of their trainees for subsequent psychologist positions. Information was also obtained regarding vacant psychologist positions across CSC regions. In light of survey findings, substantive discussion is devoted toward the issues of psychologist recruitment and retention in Canadian federal corrections, including a discussion of both potential and existing training initiatives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)