Endoscopic injection therapy for bleeding peptic ulcer; a comparison of adrenaline alone with adrenaline plus ethanolamine oleate

One hundred and seven consecutive patients presenting with significant peptic ulcer haemorrhage were randomised to endoscopic injection with 3-10 ml of 1:100,000 adrenaline (55 patients, group 1) or to a combination of adrenaline and 5% ethanolamine (52 patients, group 2). All had major stigmata of haemorrhage and endoscopic injection was undertaken by a single endoscopist. The groups were well matched with regard to risk factors. Rebleeding occurred in eight of the group 1 patients and seven in the group 2 patients; surgical operation rates, median blood transfusion requirements, and hospital stay were similar in both groups. The efficacy of either form of injection was similar whether patients presented with active bleeding or a non-bleeding visible vessel. No complications occurred. In patients presenting with significant peptic ulcer bleeding, the addition of a sclerosant confers no advantage over injection with adrenaline alone.     

Glucuronidation of N-hydroxy heterocyclic amines by human and rat liver microsomes

The food-borne carcinogenic and mutagenic heterocyclic aromatic amines undergo bioactivation to the corresponding N-hydroxy (OH)-arylamines and the subsequent N-glucuronidation of these metabolites is regarded as an important detoxification reaction. In this study, the rates of glucuronidation for the N-OH derivatives of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP), 2-amino-6-methyl-dipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) by liver microsomal glucuronosyltransferase were compared to that of the proximate human urinary bladder carcinogen, N-OH-aminobiphenyl (N-OH-ABP) and the proximate rat colon carcinogen N-OH-3,2'-dimethyl-4-amino-biphenyl (N-OH-DMABP). Human liver microsomes catalyzed the uridine 5'-diphosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA)-dependent glucuroidation of N-OH-IQ, N-OH-PhIP, N-OH-Glu-P-1 and N-OH-MeIQx at rates of 59%, 42%, 35% and 27%, respectively, of that measured for N-OH-ABP (11.5 nmol/min/mg). Rat liver microsomes also catalyzed the UDPGA-dependent glucuronidation of N-OH-PhIP, N-OH-Glu-P-1 and N-OH-IQ at rates of 30%, 20% and 10%, respectively of that measured for N-OH-DMABP (11.2 nmol/min/mg); activity towards N-OH-MeIQx was not detected. Two glucuronide(s) of N-OH-PhIP, designated I and II, were separated by HPLC. Conjugate II was found to be chromatographically and spectrally identical with a previously reported major biliary metabolite of PhIP in the rat, while conjugate I was identical with a major urinary metabolite of PhIP in the dog. Hepatic microsomes from rat, dog and human were found to catalyze the formation of both conjugates. The rat preferentially formed conjugate II (I to II ratio of 1:15), while the dog and human formed higher relative amounts of conjugate I (I to II ratio of 2.5:1.0 and 1.3:1.0 respectively). Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of conjugates I and II gave the corresponding molecular ions and showed nearly identical primary spectra. However, collision-induced spectra were distinct and were consistent with the identity of conjugates I and II as structural isomers. Moreover, the UV spectrum of conjugate I exhibited a lambda max at 317 nm and was essentially identical to that of N-OH-PhIP, while conjugate II was markedly different with a lambda max of 331 nm. Both conjugates were stable in 0.1 N HCl and were resistant to hydrolysis by rat, dog and human liver microsomal beta-glucuronidases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The effect of exchanger inhibitory peptide (XIP) on sodium-calcium exchange current in guinea pig ventricular cells

While the osteopenia associated with oestrogen deficiency is thought to arise from a relative defect in bone formation with respect to resorption, oestrogen administration itself leads to a decrease, rather than an increase, in bone formation. This decrease in bone formation, which arises from oestrogen's inhibitory effect on bone turnover, presumably masks any underlying tendency of oestrogen treatment towards stimulation of bone formation. To investigate this further, we have examined the early effect of discontinuing the administration of oestradiol-17 beta (OE2; 40 micrograms/kg) on bone formation indices in ovariectomized 13-week-old rats, before the turnover-induced increase in formation occurs. Histomorphometric indices were assessed at the proximal tibial metaphysis 0, 7, 10, 13 and 16 days following discontinuation of OE2 treatment. Measurements of body weight, uterine weight and longitudinal growth rate confirmed that there were rapid effects of OE2 deficiency on these parameters. We could detect no significant increase in bone resorption, as measured by osteoclast surface and number, until 16 days after ending treatment with OE2; this was coincidental with a reduction in bone volume. Shorter periods of OE2 deficiency were associated with a marked decrease in bone formation, as assessed by dynamic histomorphometric indices. This inhibition of bone formation was largely due to a reduction in double fluorochrome-labeled trabecular surfaces, which were decreased by approximately 70%. We conclude that ending OE2 administration in ovariectomized rats caused a striking decrease in trabecular bone formation, if such indices are assessed prior to the subsequent turnover-induced increase in formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Parkinson's disease in populations of African origin: a review

Several studies have reported a lower prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in populations of African origin than in populations of European origin, raising the possibility that the former are protected against PD. However, the confounding effects of low case ascertainment and high selective mortality on PD prevalence estimates in populations of African origin cannot be ruled out at this time. One hypothesis consistent with available data is that populations of African origin are vulnerable to vascular parkinsonism, which is associated with high mortality.     

Pigmentation phenotypes of variant extension locus alleles result from point mutations that alter MSH receptor function

Coat colors in the chestnut horse, the yellow Labrador retriever, the red fox, and one type of yellow mouse are due to recessive alleles at the extension locus. Similarly, dominant alleles at this locus are often responsible for dark coat colors in mammals, such as the melanic form of the leopard, Panthera pardus. We show here that the murine extension locus encodes the melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) receptor. In mice, the recessive yellow allele (e) results from a frameshift that produces a prematurely terminated, nonfunctioning receptor. The sombre (Eso and Eso-3J) and tobacco darkening (Etob) alleles, which both have dominant melanizing effects, results from point mutations that produce hyperactive MSH receptors. The Eso-3J receptor is constitutively activated, while the Etob receptor remains hormone responsive and produces a greater activation of its effector, adenylyl cyclase, than does the wild-type allele.     

Time series modeling and spectrum analysis for chatter mode in endmilling dynamics

To analyze the chatter mechanics, the power spectrum of a time series method was analyzed by considering cutting and structural dynamics. In this study, several time series models such as AR (burg, least square, yule walker, geometric lattice, instrument variable), ARX (arx, iv4), ARMAX, ARMA, Box Jenkins, Output Error were modeled and compared with one another. Finally, it was proved that arx, armax and iv4 are more desirable and reliable algorithms than the others for the calculation of the chatter mode in the endmilling operation. The cutting forces Fx and Fz have more powerful effects on the chatter than Fy in the sense that there is no shifting or pseudo mode in the power spectrum.     

Identification and characterization of genus-specific epitopes of Serpulina species using monoclonal antibodies

Four murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) designated as C9E8, A10, G12, and G8 which recognized both Serpulina hyodysenteriae and S. innocens were produced and characterized. The mAbs reacted with whole cell antigens in ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblot assays. The mAbs did not show any cross reactivity in rapid dot ELISA or immunoblot assay with Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae, Campylobacter jejuni and Escherichia coli. Treatment of whole cell suspension with proteinase K and sodium periodate indicated that the reacting epitopes of the mAbs were protein in nature. The genus-specific antigens were identified as heat-stable proteins with molecular weight in the range of 26 to 45 kDa. Immunofluorescence and immunogold labelling studies showed that the antibody-binding epitopes were exposed on the outer-surface of the spirochaetal cell wall. The mAbs inhibited growth of reference strains of both S. hyodysenteriae and S. innocens in vitro but failed to cause agglutination. The detection of spirochaetal forms directly in fecal smears or paraffin-embeded tissue sections from experimentally infected pigs indicated that such mAbs were potentially useful for the diagnosis of swine spirochaetosis. This is the first report of mAbs identifying and characterizing common antigens of porcine Serpulina.     

A CMOS ratio-independent and gain-insensitive algorithmicanalog-to-digital converter

This paper describes the design of a CMOS capacitor-ratio-independent and gain-insensitive algorithmic analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. Using the fully differential switched-capacitor technique, the A/D converter is insensitive to capacitor-ratio accuracy as well as finite gain and offset voltage of operational amplifiers. The switch-induced error voltage becomes the only major error source, which is further suppressed by the fully differential structure. The proposed A/D converter is designed and fabricated by 0.8 μm double-poly double-metal CMOS technology. The op-amp gain is only 60 dB and no special layout care is done for capacitor matching. Experimental results have shown that 14-b resolution at the sampling frequency of 10 kHz can be achieved in the fabricated A/D converter. Thus it can be used in the applications which require low-cost high-resolution A/D conversion     

Recurrence and death in non-small cell lung carcinomas: a prognostic model using pathological parameters, microvessel count, and gene protein products

Optimized stent expansion by high-pressure inflations of oversized balloons has initially been derived from experience obtained with the Palmaz-Schatz stent, whereas there is little experience with this strategy in the Wallstent. By using this approach with quantitative coronary angiographic guidance, 20 Wallstents and 20 Palmaz-Schatz stents were implanted in 34 patients and consecutively examined by conventional two-dimensional (2D) intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) and three-dimensional (3D) ICUS on the basis of the application of a pattern recognition algorithm. Ultrasound criteria of adequate stent expansion were defined as a complete apposition of the stent to the vessel wall, a stent symmetry index (SSI = minimum/maximum lumen diameter) > or = O.7, and a stent-reference lumen area ratio (SRR = Minimum intrastent lumen area/Average of proximal and distal reference lumen area) > or = O.8. In all cases a smooth angiographic lumen and a negative diameter stenosis, on the basis of a distal reference, was achieved. For the Wallstents ICUS showed a higher SSI (2D, 0.95 +/- 0.04 vs 0.85 +/- 0.09; p < 0.001; 3D, 0.90 +/- 0.09 vs 0.82 +/- 0.11, p < 0.05) and a lower SRR (2D, 0.66 +/- 0.12 vs 0.81 +/- 0.13, p < 0.005; 3D, 0.63 +/- 0.14 vs 0.74 +/- 0.15, p < 0.05) than for the Palmaz-Schatz stents. Ninety percent of failure in meeting these criteria resulted from a low SRR. The incidence of incomplete stent apposition (one in both stents) or SSI <0.7 was low and generally associated with an SRR <0.8. The Wallstents met the ICUS criteria less often (2D, 2(1O%) vs 10(50%), p < 0.01; 3D, 3(15%) vs 9(45%), p < 0.05), were significantly longer (35.1 +/- 7.7 mm and 14.3 +/- 3.3 mm, p < 0.0001), and generally demonstrated a larger vessel tapering, measured as proximal minus distal ICUS reference lumen area (1.33 +/- 2.91 mm2 vs 0.44 +/- 1.97 mm(2), not significant). Wallstents meeting the ICUS criteria, however, showed less vessel tapering (0.18 +/- 1.64 mm(2)). Thus optimized stent expansion was followed by excellent angiographic results for both Palmaz-Schatz and Wallstent. Although angiographic results and visual assessment of the ICUS examination suggested a good outcome, few Wallstents met the ICUS criteria in contrast to the Palmaz-Schatz stents. The low value of the SRR in the Wallstents is likely to be caused by vessel tapering, suggesting that this criterion may be unsuitable in assessing the adequacy of the expansion of relatively long stents such as the Wallstent.     

Efficient encoding of IEEE 802.11n LDPC codes

Addressed is the issue of LDPC coding for the emerging IEEE 802.11n standard. An efficient encoding algorithm is proposed. The algorithm is simple and easy to implement. The memory requirement is trivial