Effects of the level of asphyxia during delivery on viability at birth and early postnatal vitality of newborn pigs

Newborn pigs (n = 117) were used to provide information on the relationships of degree of asphyxia during delivery, viability at birth, and some striking aspects of postnatal vitality including survival, interval between birth and first udder contact and between birth and first suckling, rectal temperature at 24 h of life (RT24), and growth rate over the first 10 d of life. The degree of asphyxia at birth was estimated from cord blood pCO2, pH, and lactate levels. Onset of respiration, heart rate, skin color, and attempts to stand during the first minute after birth were used to estimate the viability score. Neonatal asphyxia, i.e., decreased blood pH and increased blood pCO2 and lactate, was associated with the production of unusually high levels of catecholamines. The degree of asphyxia increased with late position in the birth order (P < .01) and was higher in piglets born posteriorly (P < 0.5). Further, the average blood pCO2 within a litter increased (P < .05) with litter size. The was an inverse relationship between the degree of asphyxia and the viability score (P < .001). Highly viable piglets reached the udder more rapidly (P < .001) and had a higher RT24 (P < .001) than those of low viability. Plasma glucose concentrations increased with blood pCO2 and plasma epinephrine concentrations (P < .001). Neonatal asphyxia reduced postnatal vitality by delaying the first contact with the udder (P < .03) and was associated with a lower RT24 (P < .05), growth rate (P < .001), and survival over 10 d (P < 0.06). These variables, i.e., interval between birth and first udder contact, RT24, and growth rate, were correlated with birth weight (P < .001); RT24 was also shown to decrease (P < .001) with the time taken to reach the udder. Overall, results suggest that piglet suffering from asphyxia during delivery are less viable at birth and less prone to adapt to extrauterine life.     

Analysis of T cell receptor Vbeta gene usage during the course of disease in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Polyvinyl siloxane impression materials have applications in a variety of indirect procedures in prosthodontics and restorative dentistry. Favourable handling properties, good patient acceptance and excellent physical properties have resulted in their popularity in today's practice. In this review, the chemistry and important physical properties of polyvinyl siloxanes are summarized, and recent clinical questions of improved hydrophilics, tray adhesives, disinfection, and glove-induced polymerization inhibition are addressed.     

The impact of treatment time and smoking on local control and complications in T1 glottic cancer

Low frequency impedance measurements of pure egg lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) bilayers have revealed the presence of four layers which can be attributed to the acyl chain, carbonyl, glycerol bridge and phosphatidylcholine regions of the lecithin molecule. Measurements on bilayers formed in the presence of unoxidised-cholesterol revealed that cholesterol molecules were located in the hydrocarbon region of the bilayer with its hydroxyl groups aligned with the carbonyl region of the lecithin molecules. Measurements of oxidised-cholesterol lecithin bilayers revealed that these molecules protruded less into the hydrocarbon region and their polar hydroxyl group aligned with the glycerol bridge region of the lecithin molecule.     

Familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency in infancy: clinical, biochemical, and molecular study

Although almost all of the energy contained within the ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths of solar radiation is absorbed within the epidermis and upper layers of the dermis, UV irradiation can suppress the immune response to antigens introduced at distant, non-irradiated body sites. The production of immune modulatory cytokines, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10), by UV-irradiated keratinocytes and its effect on T helper type 1 (Th1)/Th2-cell balance are thought to play a major role in the induction of systemic immune suppression. Because it is suggested that costimulatory molecules, such as CD80 and CD86, differentially stimulate Th1 and Th2 cells we wished to investigate the role of these costimulatory molecules in the activation of immune suppression. We injected UV-irradiated mice with monoclonal antibodies to CD80 and CD86 and asked what effect, if any, this would have on UV-induced immune suppression. Anti-CD86, but not anti-CD80 or control rat IgG, blocked UV-induced immune suppression. Moreover, monoclonal anti-CD86 blocked the induction of suppressor T cells normally found in the spleens of the UV-irradiated mice. Monoclonal anti-CD86 also reversed the UV-induced impairment of systemic antigen-presenting cell function. IL-10 was detectable in the serum of UV-irradiated mice as compared with normal controls, and injecting UV-irradiated mice with anti-CD86, but not anti-CD80 or control rat IgG, blocked the secretion of IL-10 into the serum. We propose that UV exposure favours costimulation by CD86, which enhances the production of serum IL-10, thus suppressing Th1-cell-mediated immune reactions.     

The structural basis for pseudoreversion of the H95N lesion by the secondary S96P mutation in triosephosphate isomerase

The structural basis for the 3000-fold decrease in catalytic efficiency of the H95N mutant chicken triosephosphate isomerase and the 60-fold regain of catalytic efficiency in the double mutant, H95N.S96P, have been analyzed. The results from a combination of X-ray crystallography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy experiments indicate that the predominant defect in the H95N mutant isomerase appears to be its inability to bind the substrate in a coplanar, cis conformation. The structures of each mutant isomerase were determined from X-ray crystallography of the complex of phosphoglycolohydroxamate (PGH), an intermediate analog with the isomerase, and each was solved to a resolution of 1.9 A. The PGH appeared to be in two different conformations in which the enediol-mimicking atoms, O2-N2-C1-O1, of the PGH were not coplanar. No density was observed that would correspond to the coplanar conformation. Two bands are observed for the dihydroxyacetone phosphate carbonyl in the H95N mutant FTIR spectrum, and these can be explained if the O1 of DHAP, like the O1 of PGH in the crystal structure, is in two different positions. Two ordered water molecules are located between O1 of PGH and N delta of N95. Comparison of the structure of the pseudorevertant, H95N.S96P with that for the H95N single mutant, shows that S96P mutation causes the double mutant to regain the ability to bind PGH predominantly in the coplanar, cis conformation. Electron density for a single ordered water molecule bridging the N95 amide side chain and the O2 of PGH is observed, but the density was weak, perhaps indicating that the water molecule is somewhat disordered. Whether or not a water molecule is hydrogen bonded to O2 of PGH may explain the two carbonyl stretching frequencies observed for the GAP carbonyl. Together, the crystal structures and the FTIR data allow a complete explanation of the catalytic properties of these two mutant isomerases.     

A retrospective analysis of 82 cases of cancer of the penis

OBJECTIVE: To identify prognostic factors for penile cancer and to evaluate the treatment strategy for early-stage disease, proposed recently by the European Board of Urology (EBU). PATIENT AND METHODS: The records of 82 patients consecutively referred to the uro-oncological centre at Aarhus University Hospital between 1965 and 1993 were reviewed. The importance of tumour stage, differentiation, patient age, local control and regional lymph node control were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Cox multivariate analysis identified differentiation (odds ratio [OR] = 6.04), UJCC-1978 T-stage (OR = 1.88) and age (OR = 1.04) as independent prognostic variables for survival. Penile amputation in tumours < 4 cm in diameter improved local control but not survival. Regional control and survival were not significantly improved by prophylactic adenectomy. CONCLUSION: Differentiation, T-stage and age were prognostic factors for survival. The results support the EBU treatment strategy involving penis-conserving therapy and watchful waiting for early-stage disease.     

Resection of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee using arthroscopy induces arthrosis in dogs. Validity of the Pond-Nuki model

INTRODUCTION AND GOAL: The dog model of osteoarthritis is the one most used for the study of the pathophysiology of this disease, given its resemblance to human osteoarthritis. Although the percutaneous section of the ligament is the most known technique, variability of and iatrogenic lesions might occur. The goal of this study was to validate the arthroscopic technique regarding the osteaorthritic lesions found in the percutaneous Pond-Nuki dog model. METHODS: The arthroscopic section of the canine anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was compared to the percutaneous technique. Six dogs were operated percutaneously (Group I) and another six by arthroscopy (Group II). At eight weeks, animals were sacrificed and analysis were done on the osteophytes (mm) and cartilage lesions [macroscopy (Pelletier scale: grade 0-4, and size, mm2)] and [microscopy (Mankin scale: 0-14)] on femoral condyles and tibial plateaus. RESULTS: Osteophytes (Group I: 3.4 mm, Group II: 4.4 mm) and cartilage lesions (grade: 2.07 and 1.67; size: 27.9 and 33.9 m, respectively) on both femoral condyles and tibial plateaus are similar and not statistically different. Total microscopic scoring for both groups (6.2 and 6.5, respectively) are also similar and not statistically significant. DISCUSSION: Experimental osteoarthritis induced by arthroscopic transection of the ACL in dogs is characterised by macroscopic and microscopic lesions that resemble those found after percutaneous stab transection. Arthroscopic technique is more reliable and the present results allow its validation regarding the classical percutaneous technique.