The effect of CO2 on the blocking of excitation conduction by local anesthetics in feline A-delta and C fibers]

The data obtained showed that the CO2 potentiated the conduction blockade of the saphenous nerve with tertiary amine trimecaine in anesthetised cats. The data suggests that acidification of cytoplasm with increased CO2 increases the concentration of active cationic protonated forms of a local anesthetic agent.     

Racial differences in women's desires to be thin

The goal of this research was to attempt to understand why white women are more prone to develop eating disorders than black women. Using self-reports, we found that white women chose a significantly thinner ideal body size than did black women, and expressed more concern than black women with weight and dieting. White women also experienced greater social pressure to be thin than did black women. White men indicated less desire than black men to date a women with a heavier than ideal body size, and white men felt they would more likely be ridiculed than did black men if they did date a woman who was larger than the ideal. The results suggest that black women experience eating disorders less than white women at least in part because they experience less pressure to be thin.     

Molecular phylogeny of the nuclear 5.8S ribosomal RNA genes in 37 species of Nicotiana genus

Solid-phase synthesis of a 300-member pharmacophore library of 1,4-dihydropyridines from keto ester, diketone and aldehyde building blocks on a cleavable amine polymeric support is described. Screening and serial deconvolution of the combinatorial library has resulted in identification of known and new potent calcium channel blockers.     

Ectopic overexpression of engrailed-2 in cerebellar Purkinje cells causes restricted cell loss and retarded external germinal layer development at lobule junctions

Members of the En and Wnt gene families seem to play a key role in the early specification of the brain territory that gives rise to the cerebellum, the midhindbrain junction. To analyze the possible continuous role of the En and Wnt signaling pathway in later cerebellar patterning and function, we expressed En-2 ectopically in Purkinje cells during late embryonic and postnatal cerebellar development. As a result of this expression, the cerebellum is greatly reduced in size, and Purkinje cell numbers throughout the cerebellum are reduced by more than one-third relative to normal animals. Detailed analysis of both adult and developing cerebella reveals a pattern of selectivity to the loss of Purkinje cells and other cerebellar neurons. This is observed as a general loss of prominence of cerebellar fissures that is highlighted by a total loss of sublobular fissures. In contrast, mediolateral patterning is generally only subtly affected. That En-2 overexpression selectively affects Purkinje cells in the transition zone between lobules is evidenced by direct observation of selective Purkinje cell loss in certain fissures and by the observation that growth and migration of the external germinal layer (EGL) is selectively retarded in the deep fissures during early postnatal development. Thus, in addition to demonstrating the critical role of Purkinje cells in the generation and migration of granule cells, the heterogeneous distribution of cellular effects induced by ectopic En expression suggests a relatively late morphogenetic role for this and other segment polarity proteins, mainly oriented at lobule junctions.     

Association of aortic aneurysm in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a series of case reports and a review of the literature

Systemic lupus erythematosus associated aortic aneurysm with or without dissection is an uncommon manifestation of the disease, but it exists and can be a grave complication. We describe 3 patients and compare them to others in the literature. Controlling hypertension and using steroid sparing agents where possible may help in preventing this complication.     

Low-frequency vibrations in the treatment of patients with acute maxillary sinusitis and ethmoiditis. Non-specific resistance and immunity

Effect of sodium hypochlorite disinfection of impressions on the size and quality of plaster models is studied. Twenty-minute submerging of silicone impressions in 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution did not change their size and did not deteriorate the quality of surface and hardness of plaster models. Stomalgin impressions cannot be disinfected by sodium hypochlorite solution because of expressed destructive effect of this disinfectant on the impressions.     

Impact of HIV counselling and testing on HIV seroconversion and reported STD incidence among male factory workers in Harare, Zimbabwe

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of HIV counselling and testing on HIV seroconversion and incidence of reported sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among male factory workers in Harare, Zimbabwe. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study among men recruited to participate in a future workplace based AIDS prevention intervention. METHODS: Participants provided STD histories and blood for HIV antibody testing at enrolment and six month intervals during visits to factories. Participants received HIV test results, post test counselling, and free STD services at the project clinic. RESULTS: Between March 1993 and June 1995, 2,414 men were enrolled with 85% follow up. Overall HIV sero-incidence was 2.60 per 100 person-years; the incidence of reported STDs was 10.19 per 100 person-years. Men who obtained their HIV test results had significantly higher HIV sero-incidence and incidence of reported STDs compared to men who did not obtain their results (IRRs: 1.87, 3.47, respectively). Among men who obtained their HIV test results, a non-significant 40% decrease in HIV sero-incidence was observed after obtaining test results compared to before obtaining results (p = 0.18). The incidence of reported STDs, however, increased by 30% after obtaining HIV test results (p = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased HIV sero-incidence in the face of increased reported STD incidence suggests that timely treatment of STDs may decrease the risk of acquiring HIV even in the absence of behaviour change. In populations with high rates of HIV and STDs, the greatest benefit of HIV counselling and testing may be achieved by simultaneously offering STD screening and treatment services.