Prevalence of obesity with increased blood pressure in elementary school-aged children

A solid-phase, monoclonal antibody-based ELISA was set up to quantitate group 5 allergens in pollen extracts of wild and cultivated Pooideae grasses. The method was able to evaluate group 5 concentration in mass units with a sensitivity in the ng/ml range and a practical working range of 1-100 ng/ml. The group 5 ELISA was compared with rocket immunoelectrophoresis for determination of allergen levels in several Phleum pratense extracts, and a very good quantitative correlation was found (r = 0.98; P < 0.0001). A highly significant correlation (r > 0.8) was also obtained in comparing allergenic potency determined by RAST inhibition to group 5 content in several wild and cultivated grass species. The results proved the usefulness of the method in the standardization of Pooideae pollen extracts employed in diagnosis and treatment.     

Distribution and morphology of serotonin-immunoreactive neurons in the brainstem of the New Zealand white rabbit

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the morphology and distribution of the serotonergic neurons in the brainstem of the New Zealand white rabbit by using a highly specific immunocytochemical procedure. It was possible to divide the serotonergic neurons into a rostral group, which is situated in the mesencephalon and the rostral part of the pons containing four serotonergic nuclei, and a caudal group, which is located in the medulla and the caudal part of the pons containing five serotonergic nuclei. The localization of the serotonergic neurons is presented in a detailed brainstem atlas, and the distribution of the serotonergic neurons is in accordance with results obtained by other authors in different species. Special emphasis was given to the fact that many of the serotonergic neurons were distributed in more lateral parts of the brainstem. The laterally orientated neurons, which were large and multipolar, were morphologically different from the serotonergic neurons in the midline, which were mostly small and relatively nonpolar. The serotonergic system of the New Zealand white rabbit has undergone a major lateralization, like the serotonergic system of man and higher primates, and it may therefore be excellently suited for experimental procedures directed towards the serotonergic system. The difference between serotonergic neurons localized in the midline and those situated laterally may reflect functional differences based on dissimilarity in connectivity and morphology, and this possible subspecialization of the serotonergic system is discussed in the context of present knowledge of serotonergic anatomy and function.     

A new type of intraocular prosthesis for dogs

A simple technique is described in which sterile silicone oil (viscosity 350 cSt) was injected into the globe of an eviscerated eye with an intact cornea and sclera; the volume injected was calculated from the formula 3/4 pi r3 where 'r' was the horizontal corneal diameter. After induction of general anaesthesia and routine preparation of the surgical site, the globe was eviscerated by using a transscleral or transcorneal approach. The procedure was carried out in five dogs with follow-ups ranging between 19 and 27 months. None of the eyes developed postoperative complications. In one dog, more silicone oil had to be injected 10 days after surgery to increase the size of the globe to match the other eye. The intraocular contents were removed more easily by using the transcorneal approach, which also resulted in a perfect adjustment and virtually eliminated the possibility of leakage of silicone oil, than by a transscleral approach. The dogs responded extremely well and their owners were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance of their pets.     

A problem-based education program for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation after three and twelve months

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to present a preliminary numerical analysis of the integration process of dental implants using a finite element simulation of the dynamic response following impulse excitation. Assessment of the osseointegration process has been previously examined using a numerical approach by calculating the natural frequency of a cantilever attached to the implant. The methodology adopted in this work allows a direct measurement of the implant response following impulse loading and avoids the addition of a bulky cantilever set-up. METHODS: The geometric configuration was obtained by averaging the coordinate data from tomographic scans of 14 mandibles. The materials properties were approximated from experimental analysis performed on trabecular and cortical bone tissue. A load was applied to the top of the implant in one direction resulting in an initial displacement. The implant was then freed and allowed to vibrate over approximately 10 cycles. Three fixity conditions were assumed by changing the properties of the surrounding bone ranging from full integration to a poorly integrated implant typical of the situation during bone healing following surgery. The results of the three fixity conditions were compared by calculating the fundamental displacement amplitudes and frequencies of the vibrating impact. RESULTS: The calculated results indicated that the implant vibrated at a predominant frequency when partially integrated with a displacement principally in the direction of the applied impulse. However, when the implant was fully integrated a more complex vibration pattern ensued, suggesting the superposition of two or more fundamentals. SIGNIFICANCE: Attention has been paid to the formulation of the numerical model for validation purposes as well as a reliable reference for the optimum interpretation of the experimental data. In this way it was possible to establish a simulation procedure to investigate the response of the tissues surrounding the implant and their properties at different stages of healing. It should be pointed out that the numerical procedures represented a valid preliminary approach to the problem and were capable of indicating a guide to the optimum design of the experimental apparatus for measurement of displacement and frequency in vivo.     

Upregulation of angiotensin II AT1 receptors in the mouse nucleus accumbens by chronic haloperidol treatment

The distribution of angiotensin II AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes were mapped in the mouse brain by in vitro autoradiography. Along with a differing distribution of AT1 and AT2 receptors in the hind brain compared to the rat, moderate densities of AT1 receptors were observed in dopamine-rich regions, namely the caudate putamen and nucleus accumbens, previously observed in the human, but not rat or rabbit. Considering our previous anatomical and functional studies demonstrating an interaction between brain angiotensin II and dopaminergic systems, the effect of chronic treatment with the dopamine antagonist, haloperidol, on AT1 and AT2 receptor levels was investigated in the mouse brain. Haloperidol treatment for 21 days resulted in an increase in angiotensin II AT1 receptor levels in the nucleus accumbens, accompanied by an increase in dopamine D2 receptors, but no change in dopamine D1 receptors. Striatal AT1 receptors did not alter with treatment, nor did AT1 or AT2 receptors in a number of brain regions not associated with dopaminergic systems, such as the median preoptic nucleus, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract. The present study suggests that brain angiotensin II-dopamine interactions extend beyond the known effects on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, to the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system.     

Global phylogeography of the ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys spp.) as inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular applications of magnetic resonance (MR) techniques in coronary artery disease have increased considerably in recent years. Technical advantages of MR imaging are the excellent spatial resolution, the characterization of myocardial tissue, and the potential for three-dimensional imaging. These characteristics allow the accurate assessment of left ventricular mass and volume, the differentiation of infarcted from normal tissue, and the determination of systolic wall thickening and regional wall motion abnormalities. METHODS: In addition to the conventionally used spin-echo and cine-echo techniques, newer techniques such as myocardial tagging, ultrafast MR imaging and MR coronary angiography have been developed. These newer techniques allow a more accurate assessment of ventricular function (tagging), myocardial perfusion (ultrafast imaging), and evaluation of stenosis severity (MR coronary angiography). Particularly early detection and flow assessment of stenosed coronary arteries and bypasses by MR angiography would constitute a major breakthrough in cardiovascular MR imaging. Apart from the MR imaging techniques, cardiac metabolism may be well assessed using MR spectroscopy. This provides unique information on the metabolic behaviour of the myocardium under conditions stress-induced ischemia. However, the definite niche of cardiac MR spectroscopy has still to be settled. CONCLUSION: Currently, MR techniques allow the evaluation of anatomy and function (accepted use), perfusion and viability (development phase), and coronary angiography (experimental phase). A particular strength of MR imaging is that one single MR test may encompass cardiac anatomy, perfusion, function, metabolism and coronary angiography. The replacement of multiple diagnostic tests with one MR test may have major effects on cardiovascular healthcare economics and would outweight the cost inherent to the MR angiography procedure.     

Progression rate of radiation damage to the mouse kidney: a quantitative analysis of experimental data using a simple mathematical model of the nephron

Mouse kidneys were irradiated bilaterally with a range of single or fractionated X-ray doses. After an interval of 2 weeks or 26 weeks, the animals were reirradiated with a range of single X-ray doses. The rate of development of functional kidney damage was assessed repeatedly by the 51Cr-EDTA clearance assay. The rate at which the damage is expressed was found to depend on the primary dose, on the interval between primary treatment and retreatment, and on the retreatment dose. A subset of the data was analysed using a mathematical model of nephron function. In the model, the residual activity of 51Cr-EDTA depends on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The GFR is related to the cellularities of three target cell populations. The filtration capacity of the glomerulus is assumed to depend on the numbers of glomerular endothelial cells and mesangial cells. The reabsorption capacity of the tubule is related to the number of tubular epithelial cells. The impact of tubulo-glomerular feedback and the reserve capacity of the kidney on residual activity is considered. The target cell populations are assumed to be of a flexible type, i.e. to consist of cells which are all both functional and self-renewing. Free parameters of the model were optimized by minimizing the residual sum of squares. With the optimized parameter values, the measured and the model-predicted rates of progression of the functional damage correspond well for a wide range of irradiation schedules. The model analysis suggests a pronounced role of tubulo-glomerular feedback in the development of functional injury in the kidney. It is concluded that the model represents a good starting point for quantitative studies of the cellular basis of radiation nephropathy.