Development of the enkephalin-, neurotensin- and somatostatin-like (ENSLI) amacrine cells in the chicken retina

The development of the enkephalin-, neurotensin- and somatostatin-like immunoreactive (ENSLI) amacrine cells in the chicken retina has been investigated by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunocytochemistry (ICC). By RIA, enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (ENK-LI) was detected at embryonic day (E) 5 at only very low levels, which gradually increased until E17. From E18 to E21, there was a relatively rapid increase in ENK-LI levels, and just after hatching, there was a very steep rise. By ICC, the cell bodies of the ENSLI amacrine cells were first detected in the inner nuclear layer on E18, with no immunostaining in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). On E21, more cells were detected and processes in the IPL were visible, but detailed arborisations were not clear. On postnatal day (P) 1, the ENSLI amacrine cells showed a morphology similar to that in mature retina in both the density of cell bodies and the ramification pattern of processes. Antibodies to neurotensin and somatostatin revealed a similar developmental pattern. Thus, the three peptides appear to follow a similar developmental pattern in the ENSLI amacrine cells, suggesting that the three peptides respond similarly to developmental stimuli, just as they are released in parallel in response to physiological stimulation from mature ENSLI amacrine cells. After hatching, higher levels of ENK-LI were detected by RIA and more ENSLI amacrine cell bodies and processes were detected by ICC in animals kept in the light than in those kept in the dark. In retinas kept in the light for 12 h, it was found that immunoreactive processes in the IPL formed strongly stained patches, but this was not observed in retinas kept in the dark for 12 h.     

The effects of varying dietary n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratios on platelet reactivity, coagulation screening assays, and antithrombin III activity in dogs

Thirty beagles were placed on diets containing ratios of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids ranging from 5:1 to 100:1 for 12 weeks to determine the effects of these diets on platelet reactivity, coagulation screening assays, and antithrombin III activity. Although small changes were observed in adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-, collagen-, and arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation and 14C-serotonin release, fibrinogen concentrations, and antithrombin III activities during the 12-week study, these changes were not of clinical significance and did not correlate with the varying ratios of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids.     

The cognitive mediation of obsessive-compulsive handwashing

The potential mediating roles of danger expectancies, responsibility, perfectionism, anticipated anxiety and self-efficacy on obsessive-compulsive handwashing were examined. Ratings were obtained from 27 obsessive-compulsive patients before and during a behavioural avoidance test involving a compound stimulus of potting soil, animal hair, food scraps and raw meat. Correlation and partial correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between the cognitive predictor variables and anxiety, urge to wash, time in task and duration of post-test washing. Large and significant relationships between danger expectancies and the dependent measures were obtained, even when alternative mediators were held constant. No other variable remained significantly related to any of the dependent measures when severity of disease ratings were held constant. Results suggest that of the cognitive variables examined, danger expectancies are the most likely mediator of washing-related behaviour in obsessive-compulsive disorder.     

Routine transition zone and seminal vesicle biopsies in all patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies are not indicated

Metaphors to explain the effects of weak, complex magnetic fields upon the neuromatrices of organisms are suggested. The ratio of the amplitude of the time-varying components to steady-state components for complex magnetic field for effective biological responses may display Weber values that are similar to those for the electrical activity of the brain, the detection of changes in sound pressure by the ear and for more classical sensory thresholds. The nonlinear, suprathreshold characteristic of weak magnetic field effects would be similar to the effective narrow windows of concentrations of ligands values for receptor subtypes with different affinities. Signals composed of trains of between 100 and 1000 successive, fast (1 to 3 msec.) transients, which would contain the most biological information, would require low amplitudes to which the substrates could respond and with which the neuromatrix could resonate.     

A study on 3D Monte Carlo modeling of photon propagation through tissue

Monte Carlo techniques have become popular in modeling of the random events with advantage of powerful computing systems. Especially they have been applied to simulate processes involving random behavior such as diffusion of the Gamma rays through matter and electron concentrations in semiconductors. Recent medical innovations such as Computer Automated Tomography (CAT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) are ideal for Monte Carlo modeling techniques. This paper presents derivation and results of the three dimensional Monte Carlo simulation. The results are presented for tissue interactions with photons at wavelength of 207 nm X rays and 630 nm red light. Resulting values of model tissue have been interpolated and mapped into two-dimensional pattern in gray tone. Combination of two-dimensional patterns allow a reconstruction in three dimensions.     

Possible involvement of plasmids in degradation of malathion and chlorpyriphos by Micrococcus sp

Culture is the basic method in bacteriology. It allowed the discovery of Helicobacter pylori. Problems in the culture of this fragile, slow-growing bacterium concern transport and processing in the laboratory, but they can be solved. Culture has a 100% specificity. When performed properly, it has a sensitivity in the range of the other best diagnostic methods for Helicobacter pylori. It allows strain typing and, most importantly, susceptibility testing to antibiotics, because an increased rate of acquired resistance of Helicobacter pylori is currently observed. Culture must be performed in clinical trials, at least when antibiotics, to which Helicobacter pylori may be resistant, are used. In clinical practice, culture and susceptibility testing can generally be restricted to treatment failures. However, it is important to monitor Helicobacter pylori susceptibility to antibiotics at a national or regional level in order to give recommendations for primary treatment.     

Attachment loss with postmenopausal age and smoking

To determine whether postmenopausal bone loss and factors associated with osteoporosis affect tooth retention, we examined vertebral and proximal femoral (postcranial) bone mineral density in relation to tooth loss and attachment loss in a cross-sectional study of 135 postmenopausal women (age range 41-70 yr). Women had at least 10 teeth and no evidence of moderate or severe periodontal disease. Full-mouth attachment loss measurements were made using a pressure-sensitive probe, and bone density was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Attachment loss was correlated with tooth loss (number of remaining teeth, radiologically determined), but not with vertebral or proximal femur bone density. Multivariate analysis showed current smoking (p = 0.01), years since menopause (p = 0.02) and the interaction of age and current smoking (p < 0.01), to be statistically significant predictors of attachment loss in our study population.