A transgenic T cell receptor restores thymocyte differentiation in interleukin-7 receptor alpha chain-deficient mice

Traffic accidents are a well-known public health problem worldwide. In Mexico research into risk factors for motor involving vehicles accidents and their consequences has recently been taken into account. The relevant literature does not normally describe the methodological aspects involved in the collection of primary data, since most studies have used secondary data the good quality and validity of which are assumed. The paper presented seeks to discuss and share with researchers in this field, some of the methodological aspects to be considered in the attempt to recreate the scene of the accident and obtain information approximating to reality. The measurements in situ of, such traffic accident variables as injury, use of seat belt, speed and alcohol intake are discussed.     

A comparison of procedures for estimating the impact of nondensable gases on steam condensation taking into account the interaction of power engineering processes in the primary circuit of a nuclear power installation

We consider two procedures for evaluating the influence of nondensables on steam condensation taking into account the integral effect from interaction between the water-chemistry and thermal-hydrodynamic processes occurring in the primary coolant circuit of a nuclear power installation (NPI). Results from calculations of the passive safety system of an NPI are given.     

Langmuir films from antibodies based on amphiphilic polyelectrolytes

A technique for forming Langmuir films from antibodies based on an amphiphilic polyelectrolyte was developed. The physicochemical and immunochemical properties of the Langmuir films obtained were studied. The interaction of HBsAg with the films was found to be described by a model with one binding site, whereas that of HBsAg with antibodies adsorbed on a polystyrene plate, by a model with a positive cooperativity. The use of the novel Langmuir films from antibodies increases the sensitivity of the immunoenzyme assay.     

The surgical treatment of disorders in the formation and fusion of the lumbar vertebrae in children

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for follow-up patients infected by Chlamydia trachomatis. METHODS: Follow-up specimens were collected from 30 patients. Chlamydia trachomatis positive were detected by PCR and direct fluorescence assay test (DFA) in the 30 patients before therapy. 15 patients were treated with minocycline (100 mg twice daily) for 10 days, and 15 patients were treated with 1.0 g of azithromycine as a single oral dose. RESULTS: After 1-2 weeks of antimicrobial therapy, all patients had negative DFA for Chlamydia trachomatis, but 9 had positive Chlamydia trachomatis DNA as detected by PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The 9 specimens were not confirmed to livae viable organisms of Chlamydia trachomatis. The debris of nonviable Chlamydia trachomatis DNA was excluded from urinogenital tract at about one month.     

The intra-aortic antibacterial therapy of wounded patients with gunshot meningoencephalitis

The original decision of permanent introduction of antibacterial means to tissues of brain at gunshot meningoencephalitis is offered. For antibacterial therapy the intra-aortal catheter with diameter of 2,5 mm (through a.femoralis) was introduced. After washing the catheter by solution of crystalloid with heparin the various combinations of preparations in 5% solution of glucose were introduced: cephalosporin--8 g/day; hentamicin and brumacilin--240 mg/day accordingly, amicacin--1500 mg/day. Speed of introduction--20-50 mg/h, total volume--500 ml. The catheter was in aorta not more than 10 days, maximum--14 days. A described technique was applied in Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital on 34 wounded in head. At computer tomography of brain of all wounded intracranially the splinters and bullets were revealed, clinically--meningoencephalitis. Foreign bodies have been extracted after cupping of clinical and laboratory signs of meningoencephalitis. The authors consider, that the technique is effective not only at wounds of brain, but also at suppurative meningoencephalitis of other etiology.     

Chloroquine, quinine and quinidine inhibit calcium release from macrophage intracellular stores by blocking inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate binding to its receptor

Endocrine and exocrine pancreatic morphogenesis is known to occur from ductal epithelium, but the factors that regulate this process are unknown. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular permeability factor has recently been reported to affect fetal islet ontogenesis. VEGF is an angiogenic factor with a growth-promoting effect that is thought to be restricted to vascular endothelial cells. We demonstrated that VEGF is also a mitogen for adult rat pancreatic duct epithelial cells in primary culture. VEGF supplementation to a serum-free culture medium increased the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-pulse labeling index of ductal cells more than 2-fold. Immunohistochemical staining and protein blots revealed that pancreatic duct cells express fetal liver kinase-1 high-affinity receptors for VEGF. In pancreatic tissue, immunohistochemistry shows that VEGF peptide is expressed in normal pancreatic islet cells. In duct ligation-induced acute pancreatitis, numerous inflammatory leukocytes containing VEGF were seen to infiltrate between hyperplastic ducts. In the latter model, islet neogenesis has previously been observed. Our data indicate the possibility that VEGF plays a role in the paracrine regulation of ductal growth and differentiation in vivo, eg, in pancreatitis. In vitro, however, VEGF did not induce endocrine differentiation of ductal cells, indicating that it is not the only factor required for the activation of islet neogenesis.     

A morphofunctional validation of the use of electrostimulation by paired impulses combined with vibromassage for the treatment of patients with trauma to the peripheral nerves of the extremities

The exposure to paired electric impulses and vibromassage promotes completeness of repair in the treatment of injured peripheral nerves of the limb. The effect is achieved due to marked stimulation of myelinization and differentiation of the nerve fibers, regeneration of the nerve system in the denervated muscle.     

Classifying rehabilitation inpatients by expected functional gain

OBJECTIVES: To create a more suitable payment system for medical rehabilitation, the authors developed a companion classification system to the original functional independence measure-function-related groups (FIM-FRGs), which classify patients having similar lengths of stay in a rehabilitation hospital or inpatient unit. The companion system presented here groups patients according to their gains in functional status during the rehabilitation stay. METHODS: Data from 84,492 patients discharged from 252 rehabilitation facilities in 1992 were provided by the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation. Classification rules were formed using clinical judgment and a recursive partitioning algorithm. The gain-FRGs system used four predictor variables: (1) diagnosis leading to disability, admission scores on the (2) motor and (3) cognitive subscales of the FIM, and (4) patient age. RESULTS: The gain-FRGs system contained 74 patient groups and explained 21% of the variation in functional gain for patients in a different set of records withheld for validation. CONCLUSIONS: The gain-FRGs system should be considered for prospective payment systems because it gives the provider an incentive to improve patient outcomes, which is missing in a payment system based on FIM-FRGs alone.