The effect of dietary supplementation with copper sulfate or tribasic copper chloride on broiler performance, relative copper bioavailability, and dietary prooxidant activity

A new classification has been proposed for prophylactic antiradiation drugs, which are divided into three groups: radioprotectors, stimulators of radioresistance and the means of protection from internal irradiation. Depending on organs (systems) for the protection of which they are designed, radioprotectors in their turn are subdivided into myelo-, entero- and cerebroprotectors; stimulators of radioresistance (depending on the optimal regimens of their use to develop a higher resistance of the organism) are subdivided into drugs that are effective in single and repeated (course) use; the means of protection from internal irradiation are subdivided into the drugs that prevent incorporation of radioiodine by the thyroid gland, and into the drugs preventing absorption of radionuclides in the digestive tract. The main features that distinguish radioprotectors from stimulators of radioresistance are presented. The former are characterized by such properties as exhibiting the effect exquisitely when prophylactically administered in doses close to those of maximal tolerance, greatest effect against shortterm (pulse) irradiation, rapid development and short duration of the radioprotective action period, reduction in the effect in repeated use, etc. Stimulators of radioresistance rank below radioprotectors in their effect against short-term irradiation, however, unlike the latter, they exhibit their protective effect against a long-term (low dose rate) exposure as well under the conditions of both prophylactic and therapeutic use; their radioprotective action is more prolonged, they are distinguished for their low toxicity and lower the risk of delayed sequelae of irradiation, etc. Examples of the most typical members of each group of prophylactic antiradiation drugs are cited, data are presented which characterize their radioprotective activity, the role and place in the system of antiradiation protection of troops and population.     

Myotonia associated with hyperadrenocorticism in two dogs

Two dogs developed a disabling gait abnormality characterised by stiffness. The abnormality was consistent with a diagnosis of myotonia secondary to hyperadrenocorticism. The first dog had iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism, and its signs improved substantially after corticosteroid administration was gradually withdrawn. The second had pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism, but myotonic signs progressed despite effective mitotane therapy. Procainamide administration reduced the myotonic stiffness in the second case.     

Neonatal intensive care: decision making in the face of prognostic uncertainty

Liver-specific MR imaging contrast agents consist of iron oxide particles or specially designed paramagnetic complexes targeting either the reticulo-endothelial system of the liver or the hepatocytes. These agents enhance the relaxation of water molecules in normal liver tissue and are excluded from abnormal tissue, such as metastases. Relaxation enhancement provides a map of normal liver function, increasing conspicuity of focal abnormalities. Understanding the indications and use of these agents is a central challenge for radiologists practicing liver MR imaging.     

A clinical analysis of pupillary membrane formation after intraocular lens implantation

In 540 cases having undertaken extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation, a pupillary membrane developed in 76 cases, the rate of occurrence being 14%. Generally, the membrane appears on the fifth post-operative day and corticosteroids are effective in its treatment. After treatment no significant sequela is left and the corrected postoperative visual acuity is not affected. The pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of the pupillary membrane are briefly discussed in the report.     

Depressed heart rate variability and arterial baroreflex in conscious transgenic mice with overexpression of cardiac Gsalpha

Using a continuous recognition memory procedure for spatial location information, rats were given sequential presentation of individual arms on a 12-arm maze. Each arm contained a Froot Loop reinforcement the first time it was presented, and latency to traverse the arm was measured. A subset of the arms were repeated, but did not contain reinforcement. Repeated arms were presented with lags ranging from zero to six (from zero to six different arm presentations occurred between the first and repeated presentation). After completion of acquisition training (significantly longer latencies for repeated arms in comparison with the first presentation of an arm), rats received lesions of the medial or lateral entorhinal cortex, pre- and parasubiculum, or served as sham-operated controls. Based on continued postsurgery training and additional tests, the results indicated that rats with pre- and parasubiculum or pre- and parasubiculum plus medial entorhinal cortex produced sustained impairment in performing the task. Medial or lateral entorhinal cortex and control lesions did not display any sustained deficits. The data suggest that working memory for spatial location information is mediated primarily by the pre- and parasubiculum, but not medial entorhinal and lateral entorhinal cortex.     

Mooren's ulcer

BACKGROUND: Mooren's ulcer is a rapidly progressive, painful, ulcerative keratitis which initially affects the peripheral cornea and may spread circumferentially and then centrally. Mooren's ulcer can only be diagnosed in the absence of an infectious or systemic cause and must be differentiated from other corneal abnormalities, such as Terrien's degeneration. Although the etiology remains unknown, recent research has proposed an underlying immune process and a possible association with the hepatitis C virus. The response to medical and surgical intervention is typically poor, and the visual outcome can be devastating. CASE SERIES: Three patients presented to our clinic with inferior peripheral corneal defects characteristic of Mooren's ulceration. The first patient, a 67-year-old white male, presented with an area of progressive peripheral thinning of the left inferior cornea 1 week after a preoperative skin cleanser was inadvertently splashed in both eyes. This occurred during a surgical procedure to remove a basal cell carcinoma. The second patient, a 56-year-old white male, was treated for a recurrent left inferior corneal ulcer with impending risk of perforation. The third patient was a 68-year-old white male referred for a painful left inferior peripheral ulcer, which rapidly progressed into a bilateral corneal melt disorder. All patients were diagnosed with Mooren's ulcerative keratitis after they underwent extensive medical and laboratory testing to rule out an infectious or systemic cause of their corneal melt. The first patient was treated with oral steroids, as well as doxycycline, to control his acne rosacea. The second patient responded to aggressive treatment with topical steroid therapy. This patient also tested positive for hepatitis C. The third patient rapidly developed a perforated left cornea and was treated with a penetrating keratoplasty after a patch graft had failed. DISCUSSION: Mooren's ulcer is an idiopathic, painful, progressive ulceration of the peripheral cornea. These ulcers usually respond poorly to conventional therapy, as there is limited knowledge of the pathophysiology of the disease. Evidence of an autoimmune component advocates the use of steroids and immunosuppressive agents. With further research and understanding of Mooren's ulcer, better treatment options may be available in the future.     

Scaling of hemolysis in needles and catheters

Relying on concepts found in prospect theory (D. Kahneman & A. Tversky, 1979), the value function of voice-based participation (i.e., the relationship between the amount of voice received and the value attached to that quantity) was examined. In keeping with tenets of prospect theory, the value function of voice exhibited a nonlinear pattern. Points were identified in which voice displayed significant improvements and diminishing marginal returns on response measures of process fairness, decision control, and outcome satisfaction. Task meaningfulness, a moderator of voice-based participation, did not change the general shape of the value function but did influence the intensity of participant reactions at low and high levels of voice. Voice influence, a second moderator of voice-based participation, had minimal impact on participant responses.