A new Diamentor for measuring kerma-area product and air-kerma simultaneously

The new M4KDK Diamentor (PTW-Freiburg) for measuring the air-kerma-area product (KAP) and air kerma (AK) simultaneously was evaluated. The special design of the Diamentor chamber influences the variation of the calibration factor with respect to the field size somewhat differently to what is the case with the classic Diamentor. It is therefore recommended that calibration be performed for a larger field size. If the M4KDK Diamentor is calibrated for a field size of 3.8 cm x 3.8 cm (at the chamber), an uncertainty in the AK value of better than 15% for a field size larger than the calibration field, can be expected. The influence of backscattered radiation on the calibration factor is equivalent to that for the classic Diamentor chamber. The variation in response in accordance with tube potential, is also comparable with that of the classic Diamentor. Dramatic changes in response have to be expected if additional filters are introduced in close proximity to the Diamentor chamber.     

The effect of antimicrobial agents on the induction of tumour necrosis factor by alveolar macrophages in vitro in response to endotoxin

1. In the present study, we evaluated the role of repeated administration on conditioning place preference (CPP) induced by fencamfamine (FCF) in male rats. 2. Repeated FCF (3.5 mg/kg) or saline once or daily for ten consecutive days enhanced sniffing duration and decreased locomotion and rearing duration. 3. At the 3.5 mg/kg dose, FCF produced a significant place-preference effect. 4. Repeated exposures to FCF intensified its reinforcing properties. 5. These results suggest that repeated FCF administration sensitizes its rewarding effects, as with other addictive substances.     

Contralateral early blink reflex in multifocal motor neuropathy

Nurses must share their research and experiences with colleagues in order that areas of practice are debated and improved. Assessing the suitability of a piece of work for a journal and following simple ground rules will increase the likelihood of publication.     

Publication outcome of research funding by the Danish Heart Foundation 1988-1990

The aim of the survey was to analyse the investment by the Danish Heart Foundation in the cardiovascular research field in the period 1988-1990 and the ensuing research results. One hundred and thirty-nine researchers were allocated a total DDK 24.1 million. Eighty percent of the researchers have concluded their research work and published 362 scientific papers in 131 journals. The total journal impact factor obtained among 270 scientific papers with known journal impact factor was 642. The median journal impact factor was 1.580. Thirty-five percent of the papers were published in journals with journal impact factor greater than three. The productivity, defined as total journal impact factor obtained divided by an estimate of the total amount (DKK 200 million) of economic support received by the researcher from all sources, was estimated to 3.2 Journal Impact Factor/DKK million. A panel of international experts reviewed the outcome of funding by the Danish Heart Foundation, and concluded that the number of publications and their impact factor was adequate in relation to the economic input.     

Pharmacological characterization of human m1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors with double mutations at the junction of TM VI and the third extracellular domain

A mutant human m5 receptor containing the mutations of Ser465 to Tyr and Thr466 to Pro showed constitutive activity. By replacing the equivalent Ser388 with Tyr and Thr389 with Pro, we created a mutant human m1 (Hm1) receptor with comparable double mutations. The mutant receptor, Hm1(Ser388Tyr, Thr389Pro), was stably expressed in A9 L cells and displayed enhanced responses to classical muscarinic agonists with significantly increased potencies. Choline, a normal component of growth media, showed an efficacy comparable to acetylcholine and carbachol at Hm1(Ser388Tyr, Thr389Pro) receptors. Methylcarbachol, a selective nicotinic agonist, exhibited partial agonist activity at human m1 wild-type receptors and full agonist activity at Hm1(Ser388Tyr, Thr389Pro) receptors. l-Hyoscyamine inhibited the activities of choline and methylcarbachol. Muscarinic antagonists displayed small reductions in binding affinities, although muscarinic agonists showed greatly increased binding affinities for Hm1(Ser388Tyr, Thr389Pro) receptors. All agonists, including choline and methylcarbachol, showed multiple affinity states at Hm1(Ser388Tyr, Thr389Pro) receptors in the absence of GppNHp. The high affinity binding sites for acetylcholine, arecoline and choline were shifted in the presence of GppNHp. These results suggest that Hm1(Ser388Tyr, Thr389Pro) is conformationally favorable for agonist binding and receptor activation.     

CO2 laser conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade II-III: complications and efficacy

PURPOSE: Functional outcome after anterior resection for rectal cancer is improved by colonic J-pouch reconstruction compared with straight anastomosis. The indications for colonic J-pouch reconstruction have yet to be determined. Therefore, we attempted to determine the level at which J-pouch reconstruction provides an advantage over straight anastomosis. METHODS: A total of 48 patients who underwent 5-cm colonic J-pouch reconstruction (J-pouch group) and 80 patients who underwent straight anastomosis (straight group) underwent functional assessment one year postoperatively. RESULTS: The functional outcome in the J-pouch group was significantly better than that in the straight group when the distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge was less than 8 cm. The difference was particularly obvious when the level of the anastomosis was below 4 cm. However, functional outcome in the straight group when the anastomosis was between 9 and 12 cm from the anal verge was also satisfactory and did not differ from that in the J-pouch group when the anastomosis was between 5 and 8 cm from the anal verge. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic J-pouch reconstruction is indicated when the distance of anastomosis from the anal verge is less than 8 cm, and it is essential when the distance is less than 4 cm.