Parity as a risk factor for cancer cervix

PURPOSE: To analyze the likelihood of perioperative transfusion using the data of the abstracted patient discharge records. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was studied the data of the records of the pediatric patients in whom were done surgical procedures for 1996. The abstracted patient discharge records are codified according the ICD-9-CM codes. RESULTS: 1,166 pediatric patients were operated, of whom were transfused 25 (2.1%). The transfusion rate was higher in patients less than 3 years old, who were operated with three o more surgical procedures simultaneously, who were admitted newly after the admittance here studied, and patients operated of spine, dorsolumbar spine, pharynx, thorax and mediastinum, central nervous system, colon, vessels and hip. CONCLUSIONS: Given the variability of the transfusion rate, to know it will allow a better planning of the surgical transfusions, the policy of the hospital blood bank and to increase the information to patient about the risk of the elective surgery.     

Obese gene expression: reduction by fasting and stimulation by insulin and glucose in lean mice, and persistent elevation in acquired (diet-induced) and genetic (yellow agouti) obesity

Mutations in the obese (ob) gene lead to obesity. This gene has been recently cloned, but the factors regulating its expression have not been elucidated. To address the regulation of the ob gene with regard to body weight and nutritional factors, Northern blot analysis was used to assess ob mRNA in adipose tissue from mice [lean, obese due to diet, or genetically (yellow agouti) obese] under different nutritional conditions. ob mRNA was elevated in both forms of obesity, compared to lean controls, correlated with elevations in plasma insulin and body weight, but not plasma glucose. In lean C57BL/6J mice, but not in mice with diet-induced obesity, ob mRNA decreased after a 48-hr fast. Similarly, in lean C57BL/6J controls, but not in obese yellow mice, i.p. glucose injection significantly increased ob mRNA. For up to 30 min after glucose injection, ob mRNA in lean mice significantly correlated with plasma glucose, but not with plasma insulin. In a separate study with only lean mice, ob mRNA was inhibited >90% by fasting, and elevated approximately 2-fold 30 min after i.p. injection of either glucose or insulin. These results suggest that in lean animals glucose and insulin enhance ob gene expression. In contrast to our results in lean mice, in obese animals ob mRNA is elevated and relatively insensitive to nutritional state, possibly due to chronic exposure to elevated plasma insulin and/or glucose.     

High bit density (100 Mb/cm2) with single-layer Co-Crmedia and ring heads in perpendicular magnetic recording

The signal and noise of single-layer Co₇₉Cr₂₁ media are measured with ring heads to estimate the area density that can be achieved. Densities as high as 100 Mb/cm² (1 μm²/bit) are expected when a signal-to-noise ratio sufficient for an error probability less than 10 ^-5 is required. As a comparison, densities estimated from data from metal-evaporated tape and CrO₂ tape are given. In the frequency response of the single-layer media, an additional minimum was observed for a wavelength slightly larger than the gap length. This is probably caused by the bipolar nature of the perpendicular recording field of a ring head     

Lung deposition of fenoterol and flunisolide delivered using a novel device for inhaled medicines: comparison of RESPIMAT with conventional metered-dose inhalers with and without spacer devices

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To compare lung deposition of fenoterol or flunisolide administered from a novel, multidose inhalation device delivering liquid droplets (RESPIMAT; Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd; Bracknell, UK) or from conventional metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) with and without spacers. DESIGN: Two randomized, three-way crossover studies. SETTING: Clinical research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy, nonsmoking volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: In one study, radiolabeled aerosols of fenoterol from the RESPIMAT device and from a conventional MDI with or without an Aerochamber spacer (Trudell Medical; London, Ontario Canada). In the second study, radiolabeled aerosols of flunisolide from a RESPIMAT device, from a RESPIMAT device modified by inclusion of a baffle/impactor in the mouthpiece, and from a conventional MDI with an Inhacort spacer (Boehringer Ingelheim; Ingelheim, Germany). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Assessment of the deposition of fenoterol or flunisolide in the lung and oropharynx using gamma scintigraphy. Safety was assessed based on reported adverse effects and spirometry (FEV1, FVC, and peak expiratory flow rate) to detect any paradoxical bronchoconstriction. The RESPIMAT device delivered significantly more fenoterol to the lungs than either an MDI alone or an MDI with Aerochamber (39.2% vs 11.0% and 9.9% of metered dose, respectively; p<0.01). Oropharyngeal deposition of fenoterol from the new device was lower than that from the MDI (37.1% vs 71.7%, respectively; p<0.01). The RESPIMAT device deposited significantly more flunisolide in the lungs compared with MDI plus spacer (44.6% vs 26.4%, respectively; p<0.01), while resulting in similar oropharyngeal deposition (26.2% vs 31.2%, respectively). Introduction of a baffle into the RESPIMAT system reduced lung deposition of flunisolide to 29.5%, and oropharyngeal deposition to 7.8% (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The RESPIMAT device may prove to be an effective alternative to MDIs for the administration of inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids. The high lung deposition and low oropharyngeal deposition may lead to improved efficacy and tolerability of inhaled medications, especially corticosteroids.     

Purification and characterization of bovine heart glycogen synthase kinase-3

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK-3) was isolated from bovine heart tissue extracts by a procedure involving ammonium sulfate fractionation, followed by chromatography on phosphocellulose, Cibacron blue 3GA-agarose, DEAE-Sephacel, CM-Sepharose, heparin-agarose, myelin basic protein-Sepharose, and LiChrospher 1000 C00-. GSK-3 was identified by its activation of protein phosphatase-1i (PP-1i). The purified enzyme had a specific activity of 25,500 units of protein phosphatase-1i activated/mg protein. The enzyme is an asymmetric monomeric protein of 53 kDa. The molecular size and retention of activity after autophosphorylation indicated that the isolated enzyme was the GSK-3 alpha-isoform.     

Collecting and processing records from the ultracentrifuge in "real-time" using an on-line computer

An analytical system consisting of an analytical cantrifuge coupled 'on-line' to a computer was assembled and tested. Collection of records from up to 9 solutions was achieved through programmes which sum readings to reduce noise as well as controlling the positioning of the scanner. With this system it was found that the limit on accuracy for molecular weights at concentrations less than 0.01 g cm-3 was +/- 3% estimated from sedimentation equilibrium experiments. The same system was used to collect records for similar concentrations from velocity experiments by employing a scanning schlieren. In this case the accuracy in estimating sedimentation coefficients was similar to those found when measuring photographs. Since the collection yields detailed information about the shape of the sedimenting boundary, the centroids of the boundary were routinely computed by second moment analysis rather than relying on the position of the maximum of the schlieren peak. In the same analysis estimates of diffusion coefficients were made routinely by calculating corrected height/area ratios for each scan. These calculations were made during the real-time of the experiment, so making available molecular parameters rather than records which must be evaluated some time after stopping the experiment.     

Extensive restriction site polymorphism at the human phenylalanine hydroxylase locus and application in prenatal diagnosis of phenylketonuria

A total of 10 restriction site polymorphisms have been identified at the human phenylalanine hydroxylase locus using a full-length human phenylalanine hydroxylase cDNA clone as a hybridization probe to analyze human genomic DNA. These polymorphic patterns segregate in a Mendelian fashion and concordantly with the disease state in various PKU kindreds. The frequencies of the restriction site polymorphisms at the human phenylalanine hydroxylase locus among Caucasians are such that the observed heterozygosity in the population is 87.5%. Thus, most families with a history of classical phenylketonuria can take advantage of the genetic analysis for prenatal diagnosis and carrier detection of the hereditary disorder.