Polyvinyl alcohol as a defined substitute for serum in vitrification and warming solutions to cryopreserve ovine embryos at different stages of development

The purpose of this study was to assess the viability of ovine embryos after replacing fetal calf serum (FCS) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in vitrification and warming solutions. Ovine embryos were obtained from superovulated Sardinian breed ewes at 4, 5, 6, and 7 days after insemination. All vitrification and warming solutions were prepared using buffered saline solution with 20% FCS (group a) or 0.1% PVA (group b). Embryos were vitrified in 20 microliters of glycerol 3.4 M + ethylene glycol 4.6 M and loaded into the centre of 0.25 ml straws between two columns of sucrose solution (0.5 M), and plunged immediately into liquid nitrogen. After being warmed in a water bath at 35 degrees C for 10 s, the vitrified embryos were moved to 0.25 M sucrose solution for 3 min. Embryos were cultured in TCM-199 after washing with 10% FCS and sheep oviductal epithelial cells up to hatching or re-expansion of the blastocoelic cavity. No significant difference in the viability rates was observed between embryos vitrified/warmed in PVA or FCS solutions. In both groups, the rate of in vitro viability was (P < 0.01) lower at the precompacted and compacted morula stages than at the expanded, hatching or hatched blastocyst stage. In both groups, early blastocysts were less viable than expanded (P < 0.01), hatching or hatched blastocyst (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in survival rates at days 14 (79 and 76%) and 45 (63 and 59%) after transfer into sychronised recipients between vitrified expanded blastocysts of groups a and b, respectively. These results suggest that it is possible replace serum with PVA in vitrification and warming solutions without reducing in vivo and in vitro viability.     

Goals and methods of alcohol assessment.

Given the prevalence of alcohol disorders among psychiatric patients, all mental health professionals must pay greater attention to the assessment of alcohol use and related problems. The primary goals of alcohol assessment relevant to mental health settings are (a) identification, (b) diagnosis, and (c) treatment planning and outcome assessment. In this article, the authors describe each goal and provide examples of assessment tools used to address each goal. The structure, length, validation evidence, and limitations of each assessment method are considered. This scheme is proposed as a guide to psychologists in their task of assessing alcohol use and its related problems in their clients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changes in hemodynamics at different stages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The action of indirect electrochemical blood oxidation with 0.06% solution of sodium hypochlorite on kidney and urinary inflammation was studied in experiments on 60 non-inbred rat females of 200-250 g body weight. The animals were intravesically infected through the catheter with E. coli and Ps. aeruginosa. 3 days later, after histological verification of acute pyelonephritis, ureteritis, cystitis, the animals were injected intraperitoneally 1.0 and 2.0 ml daily of sodium hypochlorite solution (control animals) or 0.89% solution of sodium chloride. Though no reliable decrease of the bacterial contamination was achieved, histologically, there was a marked reduction in morphological signs of the inflammation in the kidneys, ureter and urinary bladder on the first day after beginning of electrochemical blood oxidation with solution of sodium hypochlorite in experimental groups. In experimental group rats morphological signs of urinary and renal inflammation for both infections disappeared on days 7 and 10, respectively. In the control animals morphological signs of the inflammation remained after 10 days. Moreover, purulent inflammation was registered in the controls infected with Ps. aeruginosa.     

Lead, nickel and vanadium in seafood: an exposure assessment for Kuwaiti consumers

Approximately 20% of patients with the limited form of scleroderma will develop pulmonary hypertension which is generally a late stage fatal complication. Why pulmonary hypertension occurs in this subset of patients is unknown and it has not been possible to predict which patients are at risk. Nailfold capillary dilatation, distortion and drop occurs universally in patients with scleroderma and is generally an early finding. The present study was conducted to investigate whether quantitative nailfold capillaroscopy could distinguish those limited scleroderma patients who have established pulmonary hypertension. Quantitative nailfold capillaroscopy was performed by Visual Image Analysis in 10 healthy subjects and 20 patients with limited scleroderma (18 centromere +ve), of whom 8 had established pulmonary hypertension. It was found that scleroderma patients with pulmonary hypertension had a significant reduction in capillary density compared with patients lacking this complication (p < 0.01). Patients with scleroderma have significantly more dilated capillaries than controls although no significant differences were observe between the two patient subgroups. The finding of reduced nailfold capillary density in scleroderma patients with established pulmonary hypertension has possible pathogenic significance and may allow detection of this subgroup at an early stage in their disease progression.     

Visual fields at different stages of diabetic retinopathy

Available studies on visual field disturbances in diabetic retinopathy have shown conflicting results, obtained with different and often non-comparable techniques. We have studied visual fields at different stages of diabetic retinopathy with modern sensitive computerized technique taking precautions to limit disturbing effects of random field variation and lack of perimetric experience. Sixty-three diabetic patients, insulin-dependent and non-insulin dependent, were each subject to three test sessions using the 30-2 full threshold program of the Humphrey perimeter. Retinopathy levels ranged from 10 to 65 in the ETDRS Final scale. In eyes without retinopathy or with very mild and mild disease (levels 10-35) mean deviation values exceeding the p < 5% level occurred in only 4% of eyes in trained sessions, and the number of test points with significantly reduced sensitivity did not exceed that expected in normal eyes. In moderate and moderately severe diabetic retinopathy (level 43-47) and in severe non-proliferative and proliferative retinopathy (levels 53-65) there was clear evidence of field loss, however, with significantly reduced mean deviation values in 44% of the eyes and 6.5% of tested points showing reproducible loss of sensitivity. Thus, there was no evidence of field loss in eyes with mild disease, but clear field defects in eyes with more advanced disease. Significantly reduced sensitivity was often correlated with retinal non-perfusion and there was seen a tendency towards more correlation in the midperiphery than paracentrally.     

Dream reports from different stages of sleep.

8 Ss (paid volunteer males, ages 17-27) were placed in the information-gathering sleep situation for 57 (nonconsecutive) nights. Ss were awakened during various stages of sleep (determined by EEG and eye movement activity), and the content of their dream or thoughts at the time of the awakening explored. Mental activity (dreaming, thinking) was reported at all levels of sleep. Reports during periods of rapid eye movement (REM) revealed more statements involving affective, visual, and muscular content with less correspondence to residue of S's waking life, than in non-REM periods. Results are related to Freudian theory of dreams. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

不同浇铸阶段IF钢连铸板坯洁净度

对采用转炉-RH精炼-连铸工艺生产的IF钢连铸板坯在不同浇铸阶段(开浇、正常、两炉交接及浇铸末期)的铸坯洁净度进行了较为细致地研究和对比分析.由于浇铸初期存在二次氧化及较大程度地增碳,开浇坯[C],[O]_T,[N]含量远高于其他时间段的铸坯,并存在较大尺寸的簇群状Al₂O₃夹杂.正常坯夹杂主要为尺寸较小(≤ 30μm)的块状及少量簇群状Al₂O₃夹杂(≤ 40μm),交接坯及尾坯仍以较小尺寸的块状Al₂O₃夹杂为主,但存在极少量大于100μm的复合夹杂.     

Apoptosis and related proteins in different stages of human atherosclerotic plaques

BACKGROUND: The transition of a fatty streak into an atherosclerotic plaque is characterized by the appearance of focal and diffuse regions of cell death. We have investigated the distribution of apoptotic cell death and apoptosis-related proteins in early and advanced atherosclerotic lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Human atherosclerotic plaques were studied by whole-mount carotid endarterectomy specimens (n=18). This approach allowed comparison of adaptive intimal thickenings, fatty streaks, and advanced atherosclerotic plaques of the same patient. The fatty streaks differed from adaptive intimal thickenings by the presence of BAX (P<0.01), a proapoptotic protein of the BCL-2 family. Both regions were composed mainly of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and macrophage infiltration was low and not different. Apoptosis, as detected by DNA in situ end labeling (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase end labeling [TUNEL] and in situ nick translation) was not present in these regions. Apoptosis of SMCs and macrophages, however, was present in advanced atherosclerotic plaques that were present mainly in the carotid sinus. A dense infiltration of macrophages (5.8+/-3% surface area) was present in these advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Cytoplasmic remnants of apoptotic SMCs, enclosed by a cage of thickened basal lamina, were TUNEL negative and remained present in the plaques as matrix vesicles. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that SMCs within human fatty streaks express BAX, which increases the susceptibility of these cells to undergo apoptosis. The localization of these susceptible SMCs in the deep layer of the fatty streaks could be important in our understanding of the transition of fatty streaks into atherosclerotic plaques, which are characterized by regions of cell death. Matrix vesicles are BAX-immunoreactive cytoplasmic remnants of fragmented SMCs that can calcify and may be considered the graves of SMCs that have died in the plaques.     

Tyrosine phosphorylation events during different stages of collagen-platelet activation

Three groups of phosphoproteins have been distinguished, basing on the velocity and extent of phosphorylation in platelets stimulated with collagen. pp60c-src constituted the first group; the increase in its phosphorylation was the highest and most rapid (maximal in 30 s after the addition of collagen). pp80/85 and non-identified protein of 65 kDa formed the second group; the increase in their phosphorylation was twice smaller than that of pp60c-src, and reached its maximum 60 s after the addition of collagen. pp120, pp72syk, and two non-identified phosphoproteins of 90 and 75 kDa constituted the third group; the increase in their phosphorylation was 4-10-fold lower than that of pp60c-src and reached its maximum after 180 s. We conclude that the phosphorylation of pp60c-src is important for the change of shape of platelets, the phosphorylation of pp80/85 and pp65 for the initiation of the formation of aggregates and the phosphorylation of the third group of phosphoproteins for the formation of massive aggregates. This conclusion was supported by using a monoclonal anti-GPIb antibody, which did not inhibit the shape change of platelets and did not inhibit pp60c-src phosphorylation. This antibody inhibited aggregate formation as well as tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins belonging to the second and the third group of phosphoproteins.     

Cultural factors in clinical assessment.

Misdiagnosis, overestimation, underestimation, or neglect of psychopathology are frequent problems when clinician and patient come from different cultures. Although national differences in diagnostic categories remain, international efforts over the last decade have facilitated the development of diagnostic categories and criteria with cross-cultural reliability. Special theoretical issues concerning cross-cultural psychopathology include culture-bound syndromes, variable distribution of psychopathology across cultures, and cultural distinctions between belief and delusion and between trance and hallucination. Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) has not been adequately assessed from a cross-cultural perspective, its apparent achievements and failures are briefly reviewed. Finally, suggestions are offered for educating clinicians about cross-cultural conceptual issues and teaching the clinical skills necessary for cross-cultural work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validity issues in clinical assessment.

The data investigators should provide to support the validity of inferences they make based on scores from a measure depend on (a) whether the measure is assumed to assess a hypothetical construct or behavior and (b) the purposes for which the measure is intended. The authors distinguish between the representational phase of validity assessment, which establishes that a measure produces scores that reflect the construct or behavior it purports to assess, and the elaborative validity phase, in which the meaning and utility of scores are examined. Key issues relevant to convergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity are examined for measures of latent traits or constructs and then for measures of behaviors or response classes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Constructional perspectives in clinical assessment.

The constructional approach to assessment and treatment refers to broad metatheoretical assumptions regarding the value of constructing rather than eliminating behavioral repertoires. The attempt to move from a deficit-oriented model to one that emphasizes a client's assets and strengths is discernible in a variety of orientations. In this article, a general paradigmatic framework is advocated that represents positive and negative behaviors in the context of interactions between characteristics of the social environment and the organization of individual behavioral repertoires. By emphasizing the interrelationships within repertoires, a rationale is provided for conceptualizing and assessing positive behaviors. The significance of positive behaviors for the design of long-term, effective interventions is presented along 3 dimensions: judgment of the meaningfulness of therapy outcome, the use of personal and social supports in the process of therapeutic change, and values regarding clients' potential. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Local control assessment in clinical oncology

The true significance of achieving local control has been a matter for debate among clinical oncologists for many years and still is for those tumors where distant metastases are the major cause of failure and mortality. The assessment of local control appears elusive as it may be conceived as the local eradication of neoplastic cells while this should be confirmed by no risk for recurrence. Tools and procedures are available to assess separately the local response after treatment and at long term. Direct methods are quite different according to the different clinical and pathologic conditions. Complete local responses may be followed by recurrence leading to a different approach: to wait for the appearance of recurrence rather than to pursue a complete response. The diagnostic clinical and instrumental methods while easy in superficial tumors, are complex, expensive and poorly reliable in deep-seated tumors. Thus, in general, any assessment of local control in terms of diagnostic work-up can frequently be difficult and misleading.     

Thinking and drinking: Alcohol-related cognitions across stages of adolescent alcohol involvement.

Alcohol-related cognitions, particularly expectancies for drinking and nondrinking and motives for nondrinking, are involved in the initiation, maintenance, and cessation of alcohol use and are hypothesized to play key roles in adolescent decision making. This study explored (a) the relationships between alcohol use expectancies, nondrinking expectancies, and nondrinking motives; (b) the roles of these cognitions across hypothesized developmental stages of adolescent alcohol use; and (c) the relationships between these cognitions and recent or intended future changes in drinking behavior in a cross-sectional sample. Surveys assessing alcohol use behaviors and attitudes were administered to 1,648 high school students. Heavier drinkers reported more positive alcohol use expectancies and fewer nondrinking motives than did lighter drinkers or nondrinkers; however, nondrinking expectancies only differed between nondrinkers and rare drinkers and all subsequent drinking classes. Alcohol use expectancies, nondrinking expectancies, and nondrinking motives differentiated students who recently initiated alcohol from those who had not, while nondrinking expectancies and nondrinking motives differentiated binge-drinking students who had made recent efforts to reduce/stop their drinking from those who had not. Intentions to initiate or reduce drinking in the coming month were also associated with these alcohol-related cognitions. Drinking and nondrinking expectancies and motives for not drinking may play critical roles in decisions to alter alcohol-use behavior during adolescence. Future exploration of temporal relationships between changes in alcohol-related cognitions and behavioral decision making will be useful in the refinement of effective prevention and intervention strategies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Developmental stages of clinical research programs, Part I

Whole-cell, voltage-clamp recordings were made from rat cerebellar granule cells in culture under experimental conditions designed to study voltage-gated Na+ currents that were elicited by depolarizing commands from a holding potential of -60 mV up to +20 mV. These tetrodotoxin-sensitive inward currents were reduced in a dose-related manner by bath application of the structurally novel, anticonvulsant drug topiramate (10-1000 microM; n = 16). Dose-response analysis of this effect revealed an IC50 of 48.9 microM. Topiramate also made the steady-state inactivation curve of this current shift toward more negative values (midpoint of the inactivation curve -46.9 mV under control conditions and -56.5 mV during topiramate application; n = 5). We propose that these effects may contribute to control the sustained depolarizations with repetitive firing of action potentials that occur within neuronal networks during seizure activity. Therefore they may represent a mechanism of action for this novel anticonvulsant drug.     

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin and alcohol dependency: variation in response to alcohol intake among different groups of patients

1. The effects of rilmakalim, a potassium channel opener, were studied on rabbit cardiac Purkinje, ventricular muscle and atrial fibers, with the use of conventional microelectrode techniques. 2. Rilmakalim (0.24-7.2 microM) shortened, in a concentration-dependent manner, the action potential duration (APD) in Purkinje and ventricular muscle without affecting other parameters of the action potential. Pinacidil (30-300 microM) also decreased the APD of Purkinje fibers. 3. Rilmakalim (2.4 microM) and cromakalim (100 microM) hyperpolarized and abolished abnormal automaticity of cardiac Purkinje fibers pretreated with barium (0.2-0.3 mM). Glibenclamide (5 microM) blocked the hyperpolarizing effect. 4. Stable early afterdepolarizations induced in Purkinje fibers by berberine (100 microM) were reversibly blocked by rilmakalim (2.4 microM), which also suppressed late afterdepolarizations induced in Purkinje fibers treated with ouabain (0.3-0.5 microM). 5. The rate of spontaneous discharges of the rabbit sinoatrial node was not affected by rilmakalim (7.2 microM) or by pinacidil (100 microM). Both agents were also unable to affect the APD of atrial muscle fibers. 6. In cardiac Purkinje fibers, tetraethylammonium (TEA; 20 mM) significantly reduced the effects of rilmakalim (2. 4 microM) on the APD. However, neither TEA nor glibenclamide (100 microM) reduced the shortening of the APD induced by dinitrophenol (30 microM) or by salicylate (1 mM).     

How alcohol and drug consumers see themselves: a personal and social self-assessment (author's transl)]

In a representative inquiry we found significant differences in the self-assessment of 4082 20-year-old Swiss men, as to whether their consumption of alcohol and drugs is high, low, or zero. The heavy users of alcohol and drugs describe themselves as men with frequent personal difficulties and psychosomatic disturbances. They tend to separate earlier from their family and prefer a less conventional, more consume-orientated, and passive way of life than the remainder.