Clinical interpretations of transient otoacoustic emissions

The object was to study retrospectively the perioperative complications and results of the Bologna procedure for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence associated with cystocele grade 2 or more. In the study, 80 patients underwent a repair of all defects of pelvic support plus the Bologna procedure. Mean duration of follow-up was 40.2 months (range 3-127). The incidence of operative complications was 2.5% for inadvertent cystostomy and for hemorrhage. Mean hospital stay was 7.2 days (range 2-17). At 2-year follow-up 85% of the patients were completely free of incontinence symptoms (95% CI: 75-92) and 76% at 3-year follow-up (95% CI: 66-86). None of the parameters tested in a univariate analysis was independently linked with surgical failure. Further studies are needed to establish the place of this technique in the surgical management of urinary incontinence associated with genital prolapse.     

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viral markers in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma in Singapore

This paper reviews studies on the basic principles of biostimulation of wound healing by various low-energy lasers. It looks at the mechanism of action of biostimulation as well as the laser's effect on cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and would healing.     

Functionally distinct high and low molecular weight species of channel catfish and mouse IL-1

Culture supernatants from channel catfish monocytes exhibit IL-1-like activity for mouse and catfish T cells. Gel filtration analyses of these supernatants indicated that there were at least two forms of IL-1-like activity, i.e. a high molecular weight form (70 kD) active on channel catfish, but not mouse, T cells and a low molecular weight form (approximately 15 kD) with activity for mouse, but not catfish, T cells. Both sizes of catfish IL-1 exhibited alpha and beta determinants as shown by Western blot analyses using antisera to human IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. Further evidence for the IL-1 nature of these molecules was obtained by antibody inhibition assays wherein antisera to human IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta each neutralized approximately 50% of the catfish activities, were additive to some extent, and could be reversed by the addition of the proper human recombinant protein. In culture supernatants of murine P388D1 cells functional activities for catfish and mouse T cells were found only in high and low molecular weight fractions, respectively. Western blots with antiserum to mouse IL-1 alpha revealed IL-1 determinants in both high and low molecular fractions of the mouse cell culture supernatants. These data suggest that catfish and mammalian IL-1 molecules may be quite similar with the caveat being that functional activity for catfish T cells requires a large protein, presented as an aggregate, a polymer, or simply a single chain 70 kD protein. However, only the low molecular weight forms (30 and 15 kD) are active on mouse T cells.     

Isolated sphenoethmoid recess polyps

PURPOSE: The Marshall-Smith Syndrome (MSS) is a rare disease characterized by orofacial dysmorphism, failure to thrive, accelerated osseous maturation and mental retardation. It has anaesthetic implications due to upper airway problems and possible atlanto-axial instability. We present the perioperative problems (difficult intubation, airway obstruction) encountered in a child with MSS who underwent several anaesthetics during his first two years of life. CLINICAL FEATURES: At birth, the child presented with asphyxia due to obstructive apnoea. His trachea was, therefore, intubated immediately. The morphological diagnosis of MSS was confirmed by the pathognomonic radiological appearance of the bones (bone age was eight months at the age of four days). Upper airway difficulty was caused by functional problems at the level of the hypopharynx (inspiratory collapse at the level of the velum palatinum), and was solved by the use of a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) during the induction of anaesthesia and early postoperative period. CONCLUSION: The use of an NPA during both induction and recovery of anaesthesia may be particularly useful to prevent upper airway problems in children with MSS.     

The copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase

Copper is distributed to distinct localizations in the cell through diverse pathways. We demonstrate here that the delivery of copper to copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is mediated through a soluble factor identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae LYS7 and human CCS (copper chaperone for SOD). This factor is specific for SOD1 and does not deliver copper to proteins in the mitochondria, nucleus, or secretory pathway. Yeast cells containing a lys7Delta null mutation have normal levels of SOD1 protein, but fail to incorporate copper into SOD1, which is therefore devoid of superoxide scavenging activity. LYS7 and CCS specifically restore the biosynthesis of holoSOD1 in vivo. Elucidation of the CCS copper delivery pathway may permit development of novel therapeutic approaches to human diseases that involve SOD1, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.     

Parental antecedents of adult codependency

Two aspects of codependency were investigated among 442 undergraduates. First, parental antecedents were examined by subjects completing measures of codependency, perceived parental dysfunctions (compulsivity, chemical dependency, and codependency), and parental styles (coercion, control, and non-nurturance). As expected, correlations between adult codependency and parental coercion, control, non-nurturance, and maternal compulsivity were significant. However, correlations between codependency and parental chemical dependency were not significant. A multiple regression analysis identified parental codependency and maternal coercion as significant predictors of subject codependency. To examine the second aspect of codependency, which assumes that codependency was identified over 40 years ago by Karen Horney, subjects completed a loss of self measure which correlated highly with codependency.     

Over one-half billion years of head conservation? Expression of an ems class gene in Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

We report the isolation of an empty spiracles class homeodomain-containing gene, Cn-ems, from the hydrozoan Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, the first gene of this class characterized in a lower metazoan. Cn-ems was found to be expressed in the head of gastrozooids, specifically in endodermal epithelial cells of the taeniolae of the hypostome. Cn-ems is not expressed in gonozooids, which lack taeniolae. Experimental conversion of the posterior region of the planula larva into head structures up-regulates expression of the gene. These findings establish that the association of ems-class genes with head structures preceded the evolution of bilateral symmetry.     

Reactive arthritis in patients attending an urban sexually transmitted diseases clinic

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, clinical manifestations, associated genital infections, and HLA associations of reactive arthritis (ReA) among patients attending an urban sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic. METHODS: Using a standardized questionnaire, 271 consecutive adults, primarily black, with possible or proven Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection were screened for symptoms of ReA. A followup questionnaire was administered 6 weeks later by mail. Patients who reported at least 1 symptom were evaluated by a rheumatologist. HLA-B typing was performed on patients with objective ReA features. RESULTS: Nine of 217 patients (4.1%) with genital infection/inflammation had objective ReA features. Chlamydial or nongonococcal STD syndromes were diagnosed in 8 of these 9 patients (88%). Genital infection/inflammation was asymptomatic in 78% of patients with ReA features. HLA-B27 or other B7-cross-reactive group antigens were not associated with the occurrence of ReA. CONCLUSION: Nongonococcal genital infections, often asymptomatic, can trigger a relatively mild ReA in a larger number of exposed patients than previously thought, irrespective of the individual's HLA status.