Passive sensitization of human airways induces myogenic contractile responses in vitro

We assessed effects of passive sensitization on human bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) response to mechanical stretching in vitro. Bronchial rings were sham (control) or passively sensitized overnight by using sera from donors demonstrating sensitivity to Dermatophagoides farinae and having immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations of 2,600 +/- 200 U/ml. Tissues were fixed isometrically to force transducers to measure responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and quick stretch (QS). The myogenic response to QS was normalized to the maximal response to EFS (%EFS). The myogenic response of sensitized BSM was 47.9 +/- 10.9 %EFS to a QS of approximately 6.5% optimal length (Lo); sham-sensitized tissues had a myogenic response of 13.5 +/- 6.4 %EFS (P = 0.012 vs. passively sensitized). A QS of approximately 13% Lo in sensitized BSM caused a response of 82.8 +/- 20.9 %EFS; sham-sensitized tissues developed a response of 38.2 +/- 17.3 %EFS (P = 0.004). BSM incubated with serum from nonallergic donors did not demonstrate increased QS response (4.6 +/- 1.4 %EFS, P = not significant vs. tissue exposed to atopic sera). However, tissues incubated in sera from nonatopic donors supplemented with hapten-specific chimeric IgE (JW8) demonstrated augmented myogenic response to QS of approximately 6.5% Lo (21.9 +/- 6.2 %EFS, P = 0. 027 vs. nonatopic sera alone). We demonstrate that passive sensitization of human BSM preparations causes induction and augmentation of myogenic contractions to QS; this hyperresponsiveness corresponds to the IgE concentration in sensitizing sera.     

Postoperative radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin appears to improve locoregional control of advanced, resectable head and neck cancers: RTOG 88-24

PURPOSE: Despite aggressive surgery and postoperative radiation therapy, only 30% of patients who have advanced, potentially resectable carcinomas of the head and neck survive for 5 years. In the hope of improving this situation we studied the effect of postoperative radiotherapy delivered concurrently with cisplatin. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients who had Stage IV tumors and/or involved surgical margins received 60 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks plus 100 mg/m2 of cisplatin on radiotherapy days 1, 23 and 43. Fifty-two patients participated in this trial and 51 were evaluated. Forty-three (84%) patients had pathologic T3 or T4 disease, 43 (84%) had Stage IV disease, and 27 (53%) had histologically involved surgical margins. RESULTS: Severe and life-threatening toxicities occurred in 20% and 12% of patients, respectively; the most common drug-related toxicities were leukopenia, anemia, nausea, and vomiting. Seventeen patients (43%) remain alive with no evidence of disease. Four patients (8%) died with no evidence of neoplastic disease, and one patient has died of a second independent malignancy. By actuarial analysis at 3 years, 48% of patients are alive, 81% have locoregional control of disease, and 57% are free of distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Based on comparison with similar patients treated in a prior Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/Intergroup trial (RTOG), we conclude that postoperative radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin may improve locoregional control rates and should be prospectively tested.     

Twin closeness and co-twin risk for substance use disorders: assessing the impact of the equal environment assumption

Studies were conducted from May, 1993 to April, 1995 to determine the changing patterns of infection by the liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis, among residents and fish hosts in Kyongbuk Province. The infection rate among residents was 7.7% by stool examination. The rate in males (11.3%) was significantly higher than females (4.1%). Positive rate of intradermal test was 27.6% in the same population. The special type of a simple catalytic model was applied for the analysis of intradermal positive reactors by age and sex, and the equation was y = 0.4776 (1 - e-0.0375t) for males and, y = 0.2085 (1 - e-0.0138t) for females. Analysis of stool examination data by two-stage catalytic model revealed y = 0.025 (e-0.00471 - e-0.0235t). The annual Clonorchis infection rate was 4.7 per 1,000 susceptibles and the annual loss rate was 23.5 per 1,000 infected. The frequency distribution by the eggs per gram (EPG) was calculated as well as the cumulative percentages of positives. The regression equations were y = 0.929 + 1.506 log x for males and, y = 0.473 + 1.767 log x for females. Of the 25 fish species, 7 species were infected with Clonorchis metacercariae. Infection rates varied by the species, and ranged from 2.8% in Puntungia herzi to 30.0% in Pseudorasbora parva. Average number of the matacercariae per gram of flesh was 58.1 in P. parva, followed by 10.2 in Gnathopogon atromaculatus, 7.0 in Saurogobio dabryi, and 3.0 in Paracheilognathus rhombea. The present study indicates that clonorchiasis in Kyongbuk Province is less prevalent than that of several decades ago.     

Effect of crosslinking agent content, monomer functionality, and repeat unit chemistry on properties of unfilled resins

Seven mechanical/physical properties were used to evaluate 10 unfilled resins: eight aromatic dimethacrylates and two urethane dimethacrylates. Physical property tests included compressive strength, Young's modulus in compression, uniaxial tensile strength, intrinsic yield point, toothbrush abrasion, Knoop hardness, and water sorption. Controlled changes were made in the following four material parameters: amount of crosslinking diluent present in the uncured monomer, functionality of the monomer, repeat unit chemistry of the monomer (urethane vs. aromatic structure) and mode of activation (chemical vs. visible light). Polymers containing a high concentration of crosslinking agent (50 wt%) were found to be tougher and to possess lower hardness than materials containing lesser amounts of crosslinking agent. This was attributed to the flexible nature of the triethylene glycol dimethacrylate crosslinking molecule. Exposure to water plasticized the highly crosslinked materials to the degree that the yield point and elastic modulus were effectively lowered. Most of the tested properties were unaffected by differences in functionality except resistance to toothbrush abrasion, which was enhanced for polymers derived from high functionality monomers. The urethane-based polymers sorbed substantially more water than the aromatic-based materials, which presumably resulted in lower values for surface hardness. However, the urethane resins were very tough, and excellent resistance to toothbrush abrasion was observed. Property differences caused by differences in activation mode were small, although the visible light materials did sorb more water.     

Laboratory millimeter wave measurements of atmospheric aerosols

Measurements made in an untuned resonator by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy of atmospheric aerosols are explained by a pumped phonon model due to Fröhlich.     

Accelerating entry into supported employment for persons with severe psychiatric disabilities.

Tested the hypothesis that Ss with severe mental illnesses would achieve better vocational outcomes with an accelerated approach to supported employment (AASE), as compared to gradual approaches (GA) with prevocational training. 86 Ss (mean age 35.1 yrs) with a diagnosis of a serious mental illness, were randomly assigned to either the AASE, or the GA, which included a minimum of 4 mo prevocational training. Data were obtained on indicators of vocational outcomes over 2 yrs, and for a limited number of Ss (n=36), during the 4th yr of inception into the program. Initially, only 5% of Ss preferred prevocational training. After 1 yr, AASE Ss showed better outcomes for a range of indicators, including achievement of competitive employment, duration of employment and mean earnings. During the 4th yr, 59% of these Ss were competitively employed, as compared to only 6% of GA Ss. Rehabilitation is more effective using AASE than GA. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)