Intensive care in Australia and New Zealand. No nonsense "down under"

The year 1996 was the 21st birthday of the Australian and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care. With this maturity many of the issues that were so troublesome to intensive care in the early years relating to identity, training, recognition, and standards have largely resolved. There are, however, no signs of complacency. We need to improve the image of a career in intensive care to trainees, expand research opportunities, and respond to the ever-changing challenges coming from administrative reorganization, budgeting constraints, and increasing public expectations. I believe the foundations have been well laid to ensure a continuing contribution by Australian and New Zealand intensivists to clinical intensive care, their hospitals, ANZICS, and a place in the global research effort in intensive care.     

Fungal microflora biodiversity as a function of pollution in Oued Sebou (Morocco)

An inventory of the fungal microflora present in sediments collected at 11 sites along Oued Sebou has been established. The influence of some climatic parameters (temperature, rainfall) and of pollution on the composition of the fungal communities has been questioned. Emericella nidulans, Eurotium amstelodami, Neosartotya fisheri var. glabrum (Ascomycetes), Dreschslera biseptata (Dematiaceae), Penicillium citrinum (Mucedinaceae) and Phoma sp. (Sphaeropsidale) can be considered as strains sensitive to pollution. Penicillium janthelinum, Trichoderma koningii (Mucedinaceae) and Candida albicans (Yeast) were found only at the most polluted sites; Talaromyces flavus (Ascomycete) Rhodotorula rubra, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Yeasts) and Fusarium oxysporum (Tuberculariales) were more often found at heavily polluted sites than at lightly polluted ones.     

Evolution of the human RH (rhesus) blood group genes: a 50 year old prediction (partially) fulfilled

Almost exactly 50 years ago, R. A. Fisher and R. Race proposed a model for the evolution of the RH (rhesus) genes in which the less common haplotypes were derived from the commoner ones by recombination, and in which the gene order was D-C-E. No direct-evidence bearing on this model was available then, and has not been until now. Here we present evidence for non-reciprocal intergenic exchange (gene conversion) occurring once in human history to generate the common RHCE allele, Ce. We have also used new polymorphisms to construct haplotypes which suggest that intragenic recombination played a major role in the generation of the less common haplotypes, but only if RHD lies 3' of RHCE, i.e. the order is C-E-D. We provide both genetic and physical evidence supporting this arrangement.     

"All fall down": the mechanism of orthostatic hypotension in multiple systems atrophy and Parkinson''s disease

A rare case of rheumatoid vasculitis and responses to a 15-year supervised exercise program. This patient presented with significant impairment in mobility and physical work capacity. His exercise tolerance improved considerably and he benefited emotionally.     

"Stand down for the homeless". Podiatric screening of a homeless population in Cleveland

The reliability of helical CT as sole preoperative diagnostic technique for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and its accuracy in detecting vascular anomalies in the abdominal region was evaluated retrospectively in 42 patients with asymptomatic AAA > 40 mm. A single breath-holding helical scan was performed with 5 mm slice thickness, during a single injection of contrast medium, resulting in a 20 cm z-axis coverage. Axial images were reconstructed and used to generate high quality multiplanar reformatted images. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed in the first 18 patients and then in case of associated peripheral vascular disease (6 patients). Helical CT exactly showed, in all cases, the proximal and distal extent of the AAA. The visceral vessels as well as the inferior vena cava and renal veins were always clearly depicted, showing anatomical variants or pathological involvement in 19 patients. DSA gave sufficient details on the distal run-off but did not allow a reliable visualization of the visceral branches, venous anomalies and true extent of AAA. In our experience helical CT should be considered as the sole method for preoperative imaging of AAA. It allows a complete and precise evaluation; it is fast, with low doses of radiations and does not require hospitalization.     

Diversity of connections of the temporal neocortex with amygdaloid nuclei in the dog (Canis familiaris)

Reciprocal connections of amygdaloid nuclei with the temporal neocortex in the dog were investigated. Injections of fluorescent tracers and BDA into particular temporal areas were made in eleven dogs. The topographical arrangement of connections and variations in their density differentiate the temporal neocortex in the dog into a few regions. Among them, the cortex involving the anterior part of the ectosylvian gyrus did not send any amygdalopetal projection. The middle ectosylvian, dorsal zone of the posterior ectosylvian and the anterior part of the Sylvian gyrus were weakly connected with the amygdala. The cortical region involving the ventral zone of the posterior ectosylvian and composite posterior areas, as well as posterior Sylvian gyrus, was characterized by profuse connections with the amygdaloid complex. Cortico-amygdaloid connections originate in the wide cortical area of the auditory cortex of the middle and dorsal part of the posterior ectosylvian gyrus as well as in the auditory association cortex located in the ventral ectosylvian, composite posterior and posterior Sylvian gyri. The connections showed a dorso-ventral gradient of increasing density, in the direction of association fields. The most substantial projection taking rise from the ectosylvian posterior and posterior composite gyri terminated preferentially in the pericapsular sector of the lateral amygdaloid nucleus and, to a lesser degree, in its medial sector. Terminals of connections originating in the Sylvian gyrus occupied preferentially the intermediate part of the lateral nucleus, slightly more medially than that from the ectosylvian and posterior composite areas. Additionally, axonal terminals derived from the composite posterior and Sylvian posterior areas were observed in the basal parvocellular and magnocellular nuclei. Neocortical projections were reciprocated by amygdalofugal connections with two exceptions: the basal magnocellular nucleus was distinguished by a substantial amygdalofugal projection to the temporal neocortex focused on the dorsal Sylvian gyrus, and the central nucleus of the amygdala, in contrast, received an exclusively corticofugal projection.     

Attachment and detachment of the anterior adhesive pads of the monogenean (platyhelminth) parasite Entobdella soleae from the skin of the common sole (Solea solea)

By preserving specimens of the monogenean (platyhelminth) parasite Entobdella soleae at intervals during locomotion and processing these parasites for transmission and scanning electron microscopy, evidence was found to suggest that adhesion of the anterior pads to the skin of the host, the sole Solea solea, is brought about by interaction between the two kinds of glandular secretion supplied to the pads. It is suggested that the specialised pad tegument through which the gland cell ducts pass may be instrumental in severing the adhesive bond by dissolving the cement immediately adjacent to this tegumental surface.     

Structural activity of a cloned potassium channel (ROMK1) monitored with the atomic force microscope: the "molecular-sandwich" technique

The atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to continuously follow height changes of individual protein molecules exposed to physiological stimuli. A AFM tip was coated with ROMK1 (a cloned renal epithelial potassium channel known to be highly pH sensitive) and lowered onto atomically flat mica surface until the protein was sandwiched between AFM tip and mica. Because the AFM tip was an integral part of a highly flexible cantilever, any structural alterations of the sandwiched molecule were transmitted to the cantilever. This resulted in a distortion of the cantilever that was monitored by means of a laser beam. With this system it was possible to resolve vertical height changes in the ROMK1 protein of >/=0.2 nm (approximately 5% of the molecule's height) with a time resolution of >/=1 msec. When bathed in electrolyte solution that contained the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A and 0.1 mM ATP (conditions that activate the native ion channel), we found stochastically occurring height fluctuations in the ROMK1 molecule. These changes in height were pH-dependent, being greatest at pH 7.6, and lowering the pH (either by titration or by the application of CO2) reduced their magnitude. The data show that overall changes in shape of proteins occur stochastically and increase in size and frequency when the proteins are active. This AFM "molecular-sandwich" technique, called MOST, measures structural activity of proteins in real time and could prove useful for studies on the relationship between structure and function of proteins at the molecular level.     

Segmental anatomy of the liver: utility of a nomenclature accepted worldwide

A major use of imaging techniques in the preoperative evaluation of hepatic tumors is to help the surgeon determine the feasibility of hepatic resection. Although the segmental location of tumors is not the sole criterion for determining resectability, such information is crucial for the preoperative planning of the type of resection.     

"Transitions in infant sensorimotor development and the prediction of childhood IQ": Comment.

Comments on the review by R. B. McCall et al (see record 1973-02150-001) concerning predictions and infant developmental examination methods and points to work by H. Knobloch and B. Pasamanick (1960) on correlations between general developmental quotient, neurologic status, and intellectual potential in examiners watching and completing an examination. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lymphocyte stimulation of healthy probands with a "Hodgkin's HL-A type" (author's transl)

Reported correlations between HL-A type and Hodgkin's disease suggest that genetic factors as HL-A associated immune response genes may play a role in the pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease. Assuming that healthy individuals having a Hodgkin HL-A constellation may demonstrate impaired immune function mitogen stimulation and mixed lymphocyte reaction were carried out. However, lymphocytes of 12 persons with a Hodgkin-HL-A type did not show any abnormality in the in vitro tests when compared to a control group.     

Volitional control of marijuana intoxication: A study of the ability to "come down" on command.

Studied the ability of experienced marihuana users to offset the behavioral consequences of marihuana smoking, using objective and subjective indices of intoxication. In a repeated test design, 10 Ss smoked placebo and 10 marihuana containing 1.2% tetrahydrocannabinol. The dependent variables were subjective rating of intoxication, pulse rate, and several performance measures. In a high-motivation condition, Ss were instructed to try and overcome the effects of the drug; in a low-motivation condition no special instructions were given. High-motivation Ss compensated for intoxication more than low-motivation Ss in a time-estimation task but not in short-term memory. Subjective intoxication and pulse rate were not differentially affected. Although compensation was task specific, the results demonstrate that in principle the ability to come down exists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dietary phytohaemagglutinin slows down the proliferation of a mouse plasmacytoma (MPC-11) tumour in Balb/c mice

We examined the relation between area measurements of residential magnetic fields and personal dosimetry measurements among 64 control children age 2-14 years from the National Cancer Institute-Children's Cancer Group's nine-state case-control study of childhood leukemia. During a typical weekday, an activity diary was completed, and a 24-hour measurement was obtained in each child's bedroom. According to the activity diaries, children spent more than 40% of the 24 hours in their bedrooms, and 68% of their time at home. We found that at-home personal dosimetry levels were highly correlated with total personal dosimetry levels in children under 9 years (Spearman correlation coefficient, R = 0.94), whereas the correlation was lower in older children (R = 0.59). For all children combined, bedroom 24-hour measurements correlated well with at-home personal dosimetry levels (R = 0.76). The 24-hour bedroom measurement was a useful predictor of both at-home and total personal dosimetry measurements. Particularly for younger children, our data suggest that in-home area measurements predict both current residential and current total magnetic field exposures. This information will be valuable for assessing the validity of exposure assessment in previous and ongoing studies and for developing measurement protocols for future studies.     

The clinical assessment of cancer tests: a statistical approach to the prediction of "false positive" rates from controls

As the sensitivity of the new in vitro cancer detection techniques increases, a larger number of "false positive" results can be expected from control populations apparently free from malignant disease at the time of the test. An attempt is made to predict the number of unexplained positives, together with the expected age and sex distribution, using published cancer registration statistics. The predicted numbers are compared with the observed numbers of unexplained positives in two clinical trials of the MEM test.     

香蕉品种(系)遗传多样性的SSR分析

[目的]从分子水平上研究香蕉种质资源的遗传多样性和亲缘关系,建立分子水平香蕉分类系统.[方法]应用SSR 技术从分子水平上对32 个香蕉品种(系)的遗传关系进行检测.[结果] 39对SSR引物在32个品种(系)中扩增带数在4～20个,平均每个SSR 座位可检测2.78个多态性带.引物的多态信息量(PIC)在0.45-0.91,平均0.80.依据SSR 数据计算的品种间遗传距离在3.06%-43.61%,平均30.73%.[结论] 香蕉品种之间存在较为丰富的遗传变异.