Intratumoral microvessel density and expression of ED-A/ED-B sequences of fibronectin in breast carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effects of sociodemographic variables on the smoking behavior of African Americans. METHODS: Data for 14,397 African-American respondents (18-64 years old) to the National Health Interview Survey in the years 1990 through 1993 were examined in multivariate models. RESULTS: Age was the strongest predictor of smoking, and men were at least 1.75 times as likely as women to be smokers (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The Year 2000 goal of an 18% prevalence rate among African-American adults may not be attained without major community interventions focusing on male and middle-aged African Americans.     

The characteristics of the coordinated activity of functionally identified hypothalamic neurons under different motivational-emotional states

Simultaneous impulse activity of pairs of neurons in hypothalamus was analysed in different natural functional states of rats (hunger, satiation after food deprivation, cry of a victim) and those induced by electrical stimulation of the emotionally positive (lateral hypothalamus, lateral preoptic area) and negative (dorso-medial tegmentum) reinforcing hypothalamic structures. Two classes of neurons were separated according to the pattern of their activity determined by the motivational state or reinforcement. Characteristic features were revealed in the patterns of conjugate activity of the functionally identified neurons. They were determined by the dominance of motivational or emotional component in the behaviour of an animal and manifested in a specificity of temporal delays in impulsation of one of the neurons in respect to the other one, in magnitude and number of positive and negative correlations. The results suggest the different ways of realization of the motivational and reinforcing hypothalamic influences mediated by the neurons of the motivational and reinforcing systems, on the cortical processes at different stages of learning which also differ in the balance between the motivational and emotional components of the animal behaviour.     

Effect of a leukotriene antagonist, ONO-1078, on electric stimulation of vagus (ESV)-induced bronchoconstriction and microvascular leakage in guinea pigs

In atropine-pretreated guinea pigs, electric stimulation of vagus (ESV, 10 Hz, 5 ms, 2 V or 10 V, for 90 s) increased intrapulmonary pressure (IPP), and Evans blue extravasation in trachea, main bronchi, peripheral and distal intrapulmonary airways in a voltage-dependent manner. ONO-1078, a noval leukotriene antagonist, (0.03 and 0.1 mg.kg-1, iv) showed no remarkable inhibiting effect on ESV-induced increase of IPP. However, the agent significantly inhibited ESV-induced increase of Evans blue extravasation in the airways, especially in lower potency of stimulation (2 V). The results suggest that leukotrienes may be involved in airway microvascular leakage in response to neurogenic inflammation.     

The University of Minnesota Biocatalysis/Biodegradation Database: specialized metabolism for functional genomics

The University of Minnesota Biocatalysis/Biodegradation Database (UM-BBD, http://www.labmed.umn.edu/umbbd/i nde x.html) first became available on the web in 1995 to provide information on microbial biocatalytic reactions of, and biodegradation pathways for, organic chemical compounds, especially those produced by man. Its goal is to become a representative database of biodegradation, spanning the diversity of known microbial metabolic routes, organic functional groups, and environmental conditions under which biodegradation occurs. The database can be used to enhance understanding of basic biochemistry, biocatalysis leading to speciality chemical manufacture, and biodegradation of environmental pollutants. It is also a resource for functional genomics, since it contains information on enzymes and genes involved in specialized metabolism not found in intermediary metabolism databases, and thus can assist in assigning functions to genes homologous to such less common genes. With information on >400 reactions and compounds, it is poised to become a resource for prediction of microbial biodegradation pathways for compounds it does not contain, a process complementary to predicting the functions of new classes of microbial genes.     

A model of home care for high-risk childbearing families. Women with diabetes in pregnancy

With a national trend toward decreased hospitalizations for high-risk childbearing women, home care and follow-up services have gained increased importance. The Quality-Cost Model of Nurse Specialist Transitional Follow Up Care is presented as a method to provide home care for high-risk pregnant women, specifically those whose pregnancies are complicated by diabetes mellitus. The model offers opportunities for intensive education, assessment, intervention, and support throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period. In addition, this model can potentially decrease the burden of care on the woman and her family by providing a comprehensive program of home care, follow up, support, and education.     

Emphysematous pyelonephritis and cystitis associated with bilateral pelviureteric junction obstruction: a case report

Emphysematous pyelonephritis and cystitis are both rare entities that have not been reported in children. The authors report an unusual case of a baby boy presenting with bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis and cystitis associated with bilateral pelviureteric junction obstruction and urinary tract infection.     

The peritoneal free flap: an anatomic study

In view of a possible clinical application of an isolated microvascular peritoneal flap, an anatomic study was performed in order to determine the peritoneal vascular territory of the deep inferior epigastric artery. For this, the deep inferior epigastric artery was injected unilaterally with Araldite in 30 embalmed cadavers and bilaterally with india ink in 15 fresh cadavers. In 70 percent of the embalmed cadavers, a constant pattern of three branches from the deep inferior epigastric artery could be identified. The peritoneal vascular supply is not derived solely from these three branches but also from multiple small branches sprouting directly from the main stem of the deep inferior epigastric artery and from segmental and muscular branches. Therefore, classification of peritoneal branches arising from the deep inferior epigastric artery seems to be of little clinical importance. In all cases, the india ink injected in the deep inferior epigastric artery colored a similar territory of the parietal peritoneum. Considering the magnitude of the peritoneal vascularization by the deep inferior epigastric artery, implementation of an isolated free or pedicled peritoneal flap seems to be possible. Such a microvascular peritoneal flap vascularized by the deep inferior epigastric artery may be used, for example, for reconstruction of mucosal defects in the head and neck region.