Patient characteristics, MRI examination, and dopaminergic drug response in clinical possible Parkinson''s disease

As hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex (NRL) has become an increasingly recognized problem in children, identification of all groups at risk seems important. In this study hypersensitivity to NRL was evaluated in 337 children with potential risk factors. We identified by questionnaire children's underlying diseases, history of surgical procedures, evidence of atopy and patient's history of NRL-specific reactions. Hypersensitivity to NRL and other allergens relevant in the Düsseldorf area was evaluated by skin prick test and specific IgE. In 9.2% of all children hypersensitivity to NRL was observed. Significant risk factors for hypersensitivity to NRL were, among the underlying diseases, spina bifida (odds ratio 29.2), hydrocephalus internus (10.1), gastrointestinal malformation (5.2) and atopy (2.2). Surgical procedures with significant risk were the implantation of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (15.7) and surgery of the gastrointestinal tract (3.1). Frequency of surgical procedures correlated (p < 0.001) with risk of hypersensitivity. Frequent surgery and atopy were found to have an additional effect on the risk of hypersensitivity. Information about previous NRL-specific reactions obtained by questionnaire was of little predictive value when performing multivariate analysis. For children at high risk for hypersensitivity to NRL preoperative evaluation and, in case of hypersensitivity, preventive measures seem to be advised.     

Early patterning of prelimbic cortical axons to the striatal patch compartment in the neonatal mouse

The striatum receives excitatory input from virtually the entire cerebral cortex. In the adult, this input is segregated into two functionally distinct compartments of the striatum, the patch (striosome) and matrix regions. This study determined whether the patterning of corticostriatal afferents from the prelimbic cortex to the striatal patch compartment develops during the early period of collateral formation or instead at the time of peak synaptogenesis. Initial formation of corticostriatal axon collaterals was observed by embryonic day (E) 19. Quantification of corticostriatal collaterals revealed a significant increase in the number and complexity of collateral branches at postnatal day 6 as compared to E19. Concomitant with the increase in collateral branching, a heterogeneous pattern of collateralization consisting of parallel rows of corticostriatal collaterals was observed in the medial striatum. In addition to the rows, clusters of corticostriatal axons occurred more laterally. These clusters colocalized with patches of dense tyrosine hydroxylase-positive fibers, a marker for the striatal patch compartment in the neonatal mouse. Together, these data indicate that corticostriatal patterning occurs during the period of early axon collateralization resulting in a segregation of corticostriatal axon collaterals from the prelimbic cortex to the striatal patch compartment.     

Steric requirements for coal swelling by amine bases

A set of six coals ranging in rank from lignite to hvA bituminous was swollen with a series of alkyl-substituted pyridines and a smaller set of 4-alkylanilines. The size and branching of the alkyl groups was varied and the effect of this variation on the dissolution of the amines in the coal and the resulting coal swelling was measured volumetrically. In a few cases, substituents which hindered the amine nitrogen were studied. The lignite and subbituminous coal have a much higher tolerance to branched, bulky groups than do the bituminous coals. The presence of tertiary groups in a solute strongly inhibits their dissolution in bituminous coals. Bituminous coals behave as if extensive parallel packing of structures occurs. Often, they can accept very large planar groups but have a low capacity for branched groups.     

Simplified method for the measurement of segmental colonic transit time

Segmental colonic transit has been measured in 101 patients. Two MBq of 111Indium absorbed on resin pellets and encapsulated in an enteric coated capsule was given at 7 00 am. Hourly images during the first day, and three images during each subsequent day were acquired for up to three days. Using all scan and patient data the scans were categorised in one of the five patterns of colonic transit: normal, rapid, right delay, left delay, or generalised delay. The geometric centres and per cent activity at each time point was compared between the five groups of colonic transit patients to find the best time for imaging and so to distinguish the five groups. During the first day, early images did not help in diagnosis of patterns of transit, however, in the later images (six hours onwards after the ingestion of the activity) the rapid transit groups could be identified. Images at 27 and 51 hours were both required to distinguish all five groups of patients from each other. Only in the 'normal' transit patients was there some excretion of the activity during the course of the second day, otherwise there was no difference in the images taken in the course of a day (second or third day). A simplified protocol requires a minimum of three images to distinguish all five patterns of colonic transit. The activity should be ingested in the morning (7 00 am) and the first image taken at the end of the working day (8-10 hours after ingestion), the second image on the morning of the second day, and the third image during the course of the third day. This simple protocol would provide all the clinically relevant information necessary for correct classification of the colonic transit.     

Linear crosstalk in 4×4 semiconductor optical amplifier gateswitch matrix

We report a comprehensive crosstalk investigation of a packaged InGaAsP/InP 4×4 semiconductor optical amplifier gate switch matrix, experimentally as well as theoretically. For a fully loaded switch with the same wavelength on all four inputs, all possible switching combinations are analyzed, thus yielding realistic crosstalk figures. Coherent and incoherent crosstalk phenomena are identified, and a switch crosstalk less than -40 dB has been measured     

Role of nitric oxide in the regulation of the hepatic microcirculation in vivo

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator in the regulation of vascular tone. However, no data exist on the physiological role of NO in the regulation of the hepatic microcirculation. This study was designed to evaluate the role of NO in the hepatic microcirculation in vivo under physiological conditions. METHODS: The hepatic microcirculation was investigated in anesthetized rats by intravital fluorescence microscopy after injection of fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled erythrocytes. Following assessment of baseline sinusoidal perfusion, animals were randomly treated with L-NMMA (n=6), L-arginine (n=6), nitroprusside sodium (NPS, n=5) or a comparable volume of NaCl (n=4). Drugs were given through a portal vein catheter at three doses (Dx), each followed by intravital microscopy. L-NMMA was given: 5 mg/kg (D1), 25 mg/kg (D2), 50 mg/kg (D3); L-arginine 30 mg/kg (D1), 150 mg/kg (D2), 300 mg/kg (D3); and NPS continuously 80 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1). RESULTS: L-NMMA induced a significant increase of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (114 vs. 129 mm Hg; p<0.05). In contrast, MAP of NPS-treated animals decreased (107 vs. 91 mm Hg; p<0.01) whereas MAP of animals receiving L-arginine did not significantly differ. Sinusoidal blood flow revealed dose-dependent changes: L-NMMA significantly decreased perfusion of sinusoids (D1: 65%, D2: 57%, D3: 50% of baseline, p<0.05). Injection of L-arginine increased the sinusoidal flow even with the lowest dose (D1: 137%, D2: 133%, D3: 123%, p<0.05). Continuous infusion of NPS had little effect on sinusoidal blood flow at the first and second times of microscopy but sinusoidal blood flow was significantly increased at the third time (D1: 103%, D2: 106%, D3: 122%). CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of NOS results in a dose-dependent disturbance of the hepatic microcirculation despite significantly increased MAP, whereas L-arginine increases the sinusoidal blood flow. The results indicate an important role for NO in the regulatory mechanisms of hepatic sinusoidal perfusion under physiological conditions.     

Fertilization in vitro. A review over the medical indications and suggestion to unified guidelines for public fertility clinics in Denmark

Medical indications for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) internationally and in Denmark are reviewed. Reports from large international centres document that tubal infertility, unexplained infertility, endometriosis and male infertility are equally good indications for IVF. Traditionally, tubal infertility has been the only medical indication qualifying for IVF treatment within the National Health Service in Denmark. Thus, in this country, couples with unexplained and male infertility and with endometriosis have to pay up to 25,000 D.Kr. per IVF-ET treatment in private fertility clinics. Since there is no scientific basis for this discrimination, it is urged that the present rules are changed, so that couples with unexplained and male infertility and endometriosis are also allowed IVF treatment free of charge in the public fertility clinics.