Permeability of blood-eye barrier in patients with primary glaucoma combined with lens opacity

The paper focuses on the history and sources of origin of sanology as science, with its brief characterization being given, relating to such items as definition, object and subject of investigation, methodological approaches and tasks, with special emphasis being placed on the significance of sanology in the elaboration of general theory of medicine.     

Backscattered electron imaging of the undersurface of resin-embedded cells by field-emission scanning electron microscopy

In this study backscattered electron (BSE) imaging was used to display cellular structures stained with heavy metals within an unstained resin by atomic number contrast in successively deeper layers. Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts were cultured on either 13-mm discs of plastic Thermanox, commercially pure titanium or steel. The cells were fixed, stained and embedded in resin and the disc removed. The resin block containing the cells was sputter coated and examined in a field-emission scanning electron microscope. The technique allowed for the direct visualization of the cell undersurface and immediately overlying areas of cytoplasm through the surrounding embedding resin, with good resolution and contrast to a significant depth of about 2 μm, without the requirement for cutting sections. The fixation protocol was optimized in order to increase heavy metal staining for maximal backscattered electron production. The operation of the microscope was optimized to maximize the number of backscattered electrons produced and to minimize the spot size. BSE images were collected over a wide range of accelerating voltages (keV), from low values to high values to give ‘sections' of information from increasing depths within the sample. At 3–4 keV only structures a very short distance into the material were observed, essentially the areas of cell attachment to the removed substrate. At higher accelerating voltages information on cell morphology, including in particular stress fibres and cell nuclei, where heavy metals were intensely bound became more evident. The technique allowed stepwise ‘sectional’ information to be acquired. The technique should be useful for studies on cell morphology, cycle and adhesion with greater resolution than can be obtained with any light-microscope-based system.     

Surgical repair of the congenitally malformed mitral valve in infants and children

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve remodeling techniques were applied to 26 infants and children (mean age, 6.0 years, range, 0.4 to 15.9 years) with various forms of congenital mitral valve disease over a 7-year period. Patients with atrioventricular canal, L-transposition and single ventricle were excluded. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was utilized to assess the repair and guide the need for immediate intervention. METHODS: Twenty-one patients had mitral regurgitation: 10 with cleft anterior mitral leaflet, 7 with annular dilatation, 1 with normal leaflets with an obstructing cord, 2 with prolapsed leaflets and elongated cords, and 1 with restricted leaflet motion, normal papillary muscles, and shortened cords. Of the 5 mitral stenosis patients, 3 had supravalvular mitral ring, 1 had midvalvular mitral ring, and 1 had a parachute valve. Three of the mitral stenosis patients had additional stenotic lesions. Concurrent repair of associated lesions was performed in 21 patients (78%). RESULTS: Operative mortality was 3.8% (n = 1). There were no late deaths. Immediate rerepair in 4 patients resulted in improved function. All mitral stenosis patients improved. A total of 20 mitral regurgitation patients (95%) improved; 1 required mitral valve replacement. Mean follow-up is 31 months (range, 2 to 81 months). All patients are in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair can be successfully performed in infants and children with excellent short- and midterm results. Assessment using transesophageal echocardiography can guide the necessity for immediate rerepair to achieve improved function.     

Residency training in child sexual abuse evaluation

Insertin is an actin-binding protein that has been isolated from chicken gizzard smooth muscle that has been shown to be highly homologous to amino acids 962-1292 of tensin [Weigt et al., 1992]. Because of the high homology, we investigated the question whether the mRNAs of insertin and of tensin are derived from the same gene by alternative splicing, whether insertin and tensin are encoded by two different genes, or whether insertin is a proteolytic fragment of tensin. In a Northern blot analysis, mRNA from chicken gizzard was hybridized with oligonucleotides specific for tensin and for the insertin domain of tensin. The tensin-specific oligonucleotide hybridized only with the previously reported 8- and 10-kbp RNAs. However, the insertin domain-specific oligonucleotide hybridized with a 1.2 and a 1.6 kbp RNA in addition to the 8 and 10 kbp RNA. The 1.2- and 1.6-kbp RNA occurred in small amounts, as compared with the 8- and 10-kbp RNA. Southern blot analysis of DNA cleaved by the restriction endonucleases BamH1 and HindIII demonstrated that only one gene for the insertin and tensin exists. Insertin isolated from chicken gizzard smooth muscle was investigated by mass spectrometry. The N-termini of three isolated peptides were found to begin at adjacent amino acids and were likely to be formed from tensin by proteolysis. The results suggest that, for insertin, an mRNA exists that is derived from one gene common for insertin and tensin. However, the insertin-specific mRNA contributes relatively little to expression of insertin domains in cells. Insertin preparations from chicken gizzard contain mainly insertin domains formed from tensin by proteolysis.     

The X-ray structure of a divergent cyclophilin from the nematode parasite Brugia malayi

The following is a review of an emerging topic in the literature which has led to new hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of pathogenesis of the various tissue specific AIDS associated syndromes. The fundamental hypothesis in this review proposes that HIV-1 is able to increase lymphocyte and monocyte localization in tissues where released HIV-1 proteins cause local tissue damage leading to any one of the various AIDS associated syndromes. It is also hypothesized here that syndromes associated with other lymphotrophic viruses result from the ability of these viruses to direct leukocyte extravasation of blood vessel walls and to initiate tissue specific pathogenesis. Further, it is suggested here that new concepts and strategies for delivering gene therapy to specific tissues can be derived from our understanding of the mechanisms through which lymphotrophic viruses localize in specific tissues. HIV-1 infection of lymphocytes and monocytes leads to increased adhesion of these cells to vascular endothelium and extracellular matrix molecules. In addition, HIV-1 infection of various leukocytes leads to increased secretion of extracellular matrix degrading matrix metalloproteinases. Increases in leukocyte adhesion and matrix metalloproteinase secretion are associated with the normal mechanisms through which leukocytes localize in tissues during inflammation. The ability of HIV-1 to activate leukocyte adhesion and matrix metalloproteinase secretion suggests that HIV-1 has evolved a way to take advantage of leukocyte inflammatory mechanisms in order to exit the blood stream and gain access to body tissues. The ability of HIV-1 to use infected cells to localize in various tissues may lead to the establishment of HIV-1 reservoirs in tissues. Such viral reservoirs may cause the various tissue specific AIDS associated syndromes. AIDS patients have been found to have elevated adhesion molecules (integrins, and cell adhesion molecules or CAMs) on their peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). While there is little clinical evidence that the tissue localization of HIV-1 infected leukocytes are the cause of the HIV-1 related syndromes, studies in vitro and with animal models have shown that the HIV-1 gene products Tat, Rev and gp120 are potent neurotoxins. It has also been shown that Tat can contribute to the growth of cells from Kaposi's sarcoma lesions. Further, HIV-1 infected cells have been shown to secrete cytotoxic levels of a variety of growth factors and small molecules. Thus, it is likely that the localization of HIV-1 infected cells in specific tissues could contribute to the HIV-1 associated syndromes such as AIDS dementia, HIV-1 related interstitial lung disease, HIV-1 associated nephropathy, the HIV-1 wasting syndrome and perhaps AIDS associated Kaposi's sarcoma and hyperproliferative skin disorders. This review will examine studies in the literature which demonstrate that HIV-1 infection increases leukocyte adhesion and matrix metalloproteinase secretion. Clinical reports of AIDS patient's leukocyte integrin levels will also be reviewed and evidence that tissue localized HIV-1 infected cells could contribute to a variety of HIV-1 associated syndromes will be presented.     

Responses of practicing psychologists to a web site developed to promote empirically supported treatments.

Increased adoption of empirically supported treatments (ESTs) has been hindered in part by inadequate and inconvenient access to EST information and training. To improve diffusion of ESTs, the authors developed a Web application to provide practitioners with concise information by disorder on ESTs. The resulting site, therapyadvisor.com, was evaluated by 239 practicing psychologists to assess the usefulness of the site and explore possible interactions of EST attitudes on ratings of usefulness and impact. Two thirds of participants indicated using ESTs in practice, and limited time and resources were cited as primary barriers to EST adoption. The Web application was rated positively by most participants and was reported to increase awareness of and commitment to try ESTs among approximately 60% of participants. The results of this project support the feasibility of a Web application to increase diffusion and promote further adoption of ESTs. Technological and e-learning advances are promising directions for encouraging the adoption of ESTs specifically and evidence-based practice generally, particularly among busy practitioners who have inadequate time and resources for more traditional forms of dissemination and training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relation of self-image to body size and weight loss attempts in black women: the CARDIA study. Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults

It has been suggested that the prevalence of obesity in black women is high partly because self-image in black women is not strongly dependent on body size. To determine associations between self-image, body size, and dieting behavior among black women, the authors assessed an Appearance Evaluation Subscale (AES) score (range, 1-5), a Body Image Satisfaction (BIS) score (range, 2-11), and reported dieting behavior in a population-based sample of 1,143 black women aged 24-42 years from the fourth follow-up examination (1992-1993) of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Lower AES and BIS scores indicate poorer self-image and lower body size satisfaction, respectively. After adjustment for age, education, smoking, and physical activity, women in the lowest, middle, and highest tertiles of body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2) had mean AES scores of 3.7, 3.3, and 2.9, respectively (p < 0.001), and mean BIS scores of 7.8, 6.7, and 5.9, respectively (p < 0.001). After additional control for body mass index as a continuous variable, both AES and BIS scores were inversely related to ever dieting, current dieting, and previous weight loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) or more in all tertiles of body mass index. These results suggest that among black women, a higher body mass index is associated with poorer self-image and lower body size satisfaction and that these perceptions may be an avenue to promoting weight control.     

The risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after Hodgkin's disease, with special reference to splenic treatment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: One of the consequences of the enormous improvement in survival rates of patients treated for Hodgkin's disease (HD) is the emergence in the long term of treatment-related complications, particularly secondary cancers. This study was undertaken to observe the occurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in patients treated for HD and to identify the etiological role of various risk factors, especially spleen irradiation, in the pathogenesis of this illness. DESIGN AND METHODS: From 1972 to 1996, the Department of Radiation Oncology and the Hematology Section of "La Sapienza" University of Rome observed and analyzed the occurrence of NHL in 1,391 patients treated for HD. The average follow-up period was 84 months. For a more accurate calculation of the risk of the occurrence of NHL, the patients were first divided into 3 groups according to their initial treatment and also according to the total treatment they had received. Then, in order to establish the possible connection between NHL and splenic treatment the patients were also divided into 3 subgroups according to whether they had undergone splenectomy, splenic irradiation or neither of these. Two different methods of statistical analysis were used: (a) the cumulative risk (confidence interval) was evaluated in relation to treatment (initial and at the time of salvage) and (b) the Cox model was applied to identify the variables which play a role in the appearance of NHL. The cumulative risk of developing NHL was assessed using the Kaplan and Meier method. A multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox Proportional Hazard Model. RESULTS: A total of 20 cases of NHL were observed, appearing between 17 and 206 months after initial treatment. The cumulative risk was 0.8%, 1.8%, 2.6% and 3.5% at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years respectively. According to the multivariate analysis, significant risk factors were splenic irradiation and age (> 40 years). Splenic irradiation (vs no splenectomy/no splenic irradiation) showed a relative risk of 5.69, p = 0.0280, while age over 40 showed a relative risk of 3.05, p = 0.0152. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: From the results of this study, if appears that there is a possibility that splenic irradiation and age over 40 increase the risk of NHL in HD patients. Further studies are needed to investigate in greater depth the role of spleen irradiation in the occurrence of this illness.