Intraoperative blood salvage in children and young adults undergoing spinal surgery with predeposited autologous blood: efficacy and cost effectiveness

We conducted a retrospective review of 155 spinal operations at our institution to determine the efficacy of intraoperative salvage. Addition of intraoperative salvage had little effect on the success of a preoperative autologous donation program. Only patients with operative blood loss > 2,000 ml (12% of patients) benefited from this expensive source of autologous blood. The technique tended to be most effective in children aged 16-18 years. Use of intraoperative salvage for all pediatric spinal procedures is neither necessary nor cost effective.     

The COMMIT dental model: tobacco control practices and attitudes

The National Cancer Institute's program to help dentists reduce tobacco use among their patients is part of the Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation, a 22-community, randomly controlled trial of an intervention program for smoking cessation. Results of COMMIT baseline surveys of dentists in the 11 intervention communities are presented.     

Molecular analysis of cellulose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Cellulose, an abundant, crystalline polysaccharide, is central to plant morphogenesis and to many industries. Chemical and ultrastructural analyses together with map-based cloning indicate that the RSW1 locus of Arabidopsis encodes the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase. The cloned gene complements the rsw1 mutant whose temperature-sensitive allele is changed in one amino acid. The mutant allele causes a specific reduction in cellulose synthesis, accumulation of noncrystalline beta-1,4-glucan, disassembly of cellulose synthase, and widespread morphological abnormalities. Microfibril crystallization may require proper assembly of the RSW1 gene product into synthase complexes whereas glucan biosynthesis per se does not.     

Regulation of the raffinose permease of Escherichia coli by the glucose-specific enzyme IIA of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system

In enteric bacteria, chromosomally encoded permeases specific for lactose, maltose, and melibiose are allosterically regulated by the glucose-specific enzyme IIA of the phosphotransferase system. We here demonstrate that the plasmid-encoded raffinose permease of enteric bacteria is similarly subject to this type of inhibition.     

Effect of not breastfeeding on the risk of diarrheal and respiratory mortality in children under 2 years of age in Metro Cebu, The Philippines

The effects of not breastfeeding on mortality due to diarrhea and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in children under 2 years of age were examined using data from a 1988-1991 longitudinal study of 9,942 children in Metro Cebu, The Philippines. Cox regression methods were used to study the magnitude of the risks, possible interactions with birth weight and nutritional status, and the effect of additional confounding factors. Not breastfeeding had a greater effect on diarrheal mortality than on ALRI mortality. In the first 6 months of life, failing to initiate breastfeeding or ceasing to breastfeed resulted in an 8- to 10-fold increase in the rate of diarrheal mortality. The rate of mortality associated with both ALRI and diarrhea was increased nearly six times by not breastfeeding, but the rate of ALRI mortality alone was not increased. The data also suggested that the risk of mortality associated with not breastfeeding was greater for low birth weight infants and infants whose mothers had little formal education. After age 6 months, the protective effects of breastfeeding dropped dramatically. These findings underscore the importance of promoting breastfeeding, especially during the first 6 months of life, and of targeting high risk groups such as low birth weight babies and those of low socioeconomic status.     

Fine needle aspiration cytodiagnosis of subcutaneous fat necrosis of newborn. A case report

We recently diagnosed subcutaneous fat necrosis in a newborn female infant using fine needle aspiration cytology. The neonate had perinatal asphyxia and her mother a difficult labor, but otherwise the neonate was well developed and healthy and within a few days developed well-defined areas of subcutaneous induration all over. On cytologic examination of the aspirated material, many necrotizing fat cells were found with refractile, needle-shaped crystals arranged in a sheaflike or starburst pattern. Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn is uncommon today, and although the histologic findings from excised tissue are known, this appears to be the first case in which the diagnosis was possible from a sample of fine needle aspirate.