Changes in maternal middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity associated with general anesthesia in severe preeclampsia

In women with severe preeclampsia, significant increases in mean arterial pressures (MAP) are common after rapid induction of general anesthesia (GA) and tracheal intubation. The objectives of this prospective study were to assess the effects of the rapid induction-intubation technique on middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow velocity in severe preeclampsia and to examine the correlation between mean MCA flow velocity (Vm) and MAP. Eight women with severe preeclampsia (study group) and six normotensive women at term (control group) scheduled to undergo cesarean section under GA were studied. Before induction, patients in the study group received i.v. labetalol in divided doses to lower diastolic pressures to <100 mm Hg. Anesthesia was induced with pentothal 4-5 mg/kg, followed by succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg to facilitate tracheal intubation. A transcranial Doppler was used to measure Vm. Both Vm and MAP were recorded before induction and every minute for 6 min after intubation. In the study group, after the administration of labetalol, MAP decreased from 129 +/- 9 to 113 +/- 9 mm Hg (P < 0.05), and Vm decreased from 59 +/- 11 to 54 +/- 10 cm/s (P < 0.05). After intubation, MAP increased from 113 +/- 9 to 134 +/- 5 mm Hg (P < 0.001), and Vm increased from 54 +/- 10 to 70 +/- 10 cm/s (P < 0.001). In the control group, while MAP increased significantly from 89 +/- 6 to 96 +/- 4 mm Hg (P < 0.05) after intubation, the concurrent increase in Vm from 49 +/- 5 to 54 +/- 7 cm/s was not significant. There was a significant positive pooled correlation between Vm and MAP (r = 0.5, P < 0.0006) in the study group but not in the control group (r = 0.24). After induction and intubation, both Vm and MAP values were significantly increased in the study group patients at all observation points compared with the control group patients. The findings indicate that Vm increases significantly after rapid-sequence induction of GA and tracheal intubation in women with severe preeclampsia, and there seems to be a direct relationship between MAP and Vm. Implications: In women with severe preeclampsia, rapid-sequence induction of general anesthesia and tracheal intubation can cause severe hypertension. Our results indicate that the increase in blood pressure is associated with a significant increase in maternal cerebral blood flow velocity and that there is a significant correlation between these two variables.     

Cascades of mammalian caspase activation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Caspases (aspartate-specific cysteine proteases) play a critical role in the execution of the mammalian apoptotic program. To address the regulation of human caspase activation, we used the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is devoid of endogenous caspases. The apical procaspases, -8beta and -10, were efficiently processed and activated in yeast. Although protease activity, per se, was insufficient to drive cell death, caspase-10 activity had little effect on cell viability, whereas expression of caspase-8beta was cytotoxic. This lethal phenotype was abrogated by co-expression of the pan-caspase inhibitor, baculovirus p35, and by mutation of the active site cysteine of procaspase-8beta. In contrast, autoactivation of the executioner caspase-3 and -6 zymogens was not detected. Procaspase-3 activation required co-expression of procaspase-8 or -10. Surprisingly, activation of procaspase-6 required proteolytic activities other than caspase-8, -10, or -3. Caspase-8beta or -10 activity was insufficient to catalyze the maturation of procaspase-6. Moreover, a constitutively active caspase-3, although cytotoxic in its own right, was unable to induce the processing of wild-type procaspase-6 and vice versa. These results distinguish sequential modes of activation for different caspases in vivo and establish a yeast model system to examine the regulation of caspase cascades. Moreover, the distinct terminal phenotypes induced by various caspases attest to differences in the cellular targets of these apoptotic proteases, which may be defined using this system.     

Ability of reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) to observe structural modifications in ion-implanted and annealed GaAs

GaAs 100 wafers were implanted and later annealed by using three different techniques: furnace thermal annealing (FTA), flash lamp (RTA) and low-power laser annealing (LPLA). The resulting modifications of the structure were studied by RHEED. The RHEED pattern analysis indicates that: (a) A well annealed structure is observed after thermal treatment in furnace at 850 °C for 30 min; (b) the particular RTA employed leads to some texturing, but is not sufficient to provide good structural effects; (c) best annealing under our conditions is obtained by the LPLA technique, especially for low ion doses (less than 10¹³ cm^–2); (d) variable-glancing-angle RHEED is an effective and convenient method to investigate the ion induced disorder in crystals at small depths.     

Comparative study of astrocytes in human and rabbit retinae

Immunohistochemical location of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) was used to compare the morphology of astrocytes in vascularized and partially vascularized retinae (human and rabbit, respectively). Astrocytes in human and rabbit retinae were found in the same regions as the blood vessels. These cells in partially vascularized retinae differed from those in vascularized retina in several respects. Firstly, there were six morphological types in rabbit retina and only two in human retina. Secondly, in rabbit retinae there were astrocytes only related to blood vessels called "perivascular astrocytes" which were absent in human retinae. Thirdly, the astrocytes were located in the nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer in both types of retinae, but in human retinae these cells could also be seen in the internal nuclear layer. These observations demonstrate that there are many differences between astrocytes in human and rabbit retina, suggesting that rabbit retina could be used with caution as an experimental model in comparative studies with human retina.     

On the phylogenetic position of the pre-Neandertal specimen from Reilingen, Germany

This paper describes the morphology and phylogenetic significance of a well-preserved fossil human cranium found near Reilingen, Germany in 1978. The specimen consists of two complete parietals, most of the right temporal, and 70% of the occipital. The specimen displays several features characteristic of early "archaic" Homo sapiens: maximum breadth at the supramastoid crests, roughly pentagonal occipital view, an angular torus, superoinferiorly elongate/ anteroposterior shortened squamous temporal, strong mastoid, and separation of the tympanic and mastoid temporal portions. Other features align the Reilingen cranium with the "classic" Neandertals: developed suprainiac fossa, bilaterally protuberant occipital torus, strong juxtamastoid eminence, a highly convex occipital plane, and lambdoid flattening. This morphology and our cephalometric analysis support the assignment of this specimen to a Stage 2 "pre-Neandertal" group (e.g., Steinheim, Swanscombe, and Atapuerca [SH site]). Following an "Accretion Model" of European hominid evolution, Stage 2 succeeds Stage 1 European "early-pre-Neandertals" (e.g., Mauer and Petralona), and precedes both the Saale-Eem Stage 3 "early Neandertals" (e.g., Biache 1), which present greater platycephaly, a reduced mastoid process, an enlarged juxtamastoid eminence, and true "en-bombe" (parieto-occipital form), and Weichsel Stage 4 "Neandertals" (sensu stricto, i.e., "classic" Neandertals).     

Extralenticular expression of the rodent betaB2-crystallin gene

A pregnant patient at 38 weeks' gestation developed symptoms of local anaesthetic toxicity following intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) for hand surgery, using a standard dose of lignocaine. Reports suggest that a number of factors, both physiological and pharmacological, combine to increase the likelihood of local anaesthetic (LA) toxicity in pregnancy despite employment of a conventional "safe" IVRA technique. It is suggested that for IVRA, pregnant patients are premedicated with a benzodiazepine, the tourniquet time is increased and the concentration of LA is decreased to reduce the risks of LA toxicity.     

A technique for developing and photographing ridge impressions on decomposed water-soaked fingers

One of the most challenging tasks confronting a crime laboratory technician is the fingerprinting and subsequent identification of an unknown homicide or drowning victim whose fingers have been subjected to a long period of exposure to water and the effects of decomposition. If the fingers of the individual have not been exposed to the erosive effects of water and decomposition for a long period of time, they may be allowed to dry, and suitable impressions are often obtainable. In other cases the fingers may have to be removed, with the permission of the Medical Examiners Office, and processed by the Crime Laboratory in an attempt to develop suitable ridge structure for inked impressions or an exact photographic copy of the individual's fingers. In extreme cases the effects of water and decomposition make the fragile ridge structure appear to be nonexistent to the naked eye. The procedure used in this case report, combines the use of cyanoacrylate vapor, commonly called "super glue fuming," and the ninhydrin process in conjunction to develop fragile ridge structure into discernable ridges that are easily seen and photographed for the purpose of making an identification of the individual.     

Adaptation of thermafil components to canal walls

In summer 1991 an outbreak of a Salmonella enteritidis epidemic involving about 600 cases of gastroenteritis occurred at one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in southwestern Germany. The main source was a cold fruit soup, in addition Salmonella were isolated from meat strips and a curd cheese which were used for a salad dressing. A total of 2300 contaminated food portions were served resulting in an attack rate of about 25%. The possible origin could have been an asymptomatic Salmonella-positive member of the kitchen personnel who was the only one who was involved with the preparation of all the incriminated foods. A further spread of the epidemic and especially the possible contamination of pharmaceuticals was avoided by the timely and adequate reaction of the company's occupational medical service. This case exemplifies how classical crisis management, "increased initiative on one's own for prevention of infections in all areas of food processing" (Steuer) and finally the cooperation of the company with different institutions of the public health authorities contribute to the control of such a catastrophic scenario.