Acute lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus reduce sympathetic activation and thermogenic changes induced by PGE1

Modern research into the needs of intensive care unit visitors was pioneered by Molter in 1979. Much of the published research does not build on the methodology developed by Molter but simply repeats her work with minor modifications. Repetition does not always provide new information and may simply replicate methodological shortcomings. Methods of improving research in the area are described and future directions suggested.     

Dynamic optimization of spur gears

This paper presents a global optimization method focused on gear vibration reduction by means of profile modifications. A nonlinear dynamic model is used to study the vibration behavior; such model is validated using data available in literature. The optimization method considers different regimes and torque levels; the objective function can be the static transmission error or the maximum amplitude of the gear vibration in terms of dynamic transmission error. The procedure finds the optimal profile modification that reduces the vibrations over a wide range of operating conditions. In order to reduce the computational cost, a Random-Simplex optimization algorithm is developed; the optimum reliability is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation. The approach shows good performances for the computational efficiency as well as the reliability of results. Finally, an application to High Contact Ratio (HCR) gears is presented and an extremely good performance is obtained by combining optimization procedures and HCR properties.     

Linear IgA bullous dermatosis after contact with sodium hypochlorite

The onset of linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) is generally spontaneous, but a number of cases of LABD have been reported either following drug exposure or in association with malignancies. We describe a patient who developed a vesicular eruption shortly after an irritant dermatitis caused by the contact with a detergent containing sodium hypochlorite. Direct immunofluorescence revealed linear deposits of IgA and C3 in the epidermal basement membrane. The patient's serum contained IgA that immunoblotted a 180-kD polypeptide in extracts of human keratinocytes. The patient responded promptly to therapy with dapsone. We suggest a possible pathogenetic relationship between the chemical dermatitis and LABD in this patient.     

Parametric instability of belts: theory and experiments

In this paper, the dynamic stability of a power transmission belt excited by an eccentric pulley is investigated. A theoretical model is developed to predict the belt response: simply supported boundary conditions are considered, neglecting the pulley curvature, and including the effect of the lower belt span. The transverse displacement field is expanded into sine series and the Galerkin method is applied to reduce the partial differential equation (PDE) into a set of ordinary differential equations. In order to forecast the belt response, the elastic characteristics only of the belt must be provided to the theoretical model. An experimental investigation is performed on a belt-pulley system with a pulley eccentricity; a laser displacement transducer is used to measure the transverse displacement. The combination of a direct and a parametric excitation is analyzed in detail. Interesting post-critical nonlinear dynamic behaviors are found: sub-harmonic responses and quasi-periodic motions seem to coexist, depending on the initial conditions. Experiments confirm the numerical results, thus validating the present theoretical model.     

Nutritional manipulation between early to mid-gestation: effects on uncoupling protein-2, glucocorticoid sensitivity, IGF-I receptor and cell proliferation but not apoptosis in the ovine placenta

In sheep, modest maternal nutrient restriction (NR) over the period of rapid placental growth restricts placentome growth and results in offspring in which glucocorticoid action is enhanced. Therefore, this study investigated the placental effects of early to mid-gestational NR on glucocorticoid receptor (GR), 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11betaHSD2), uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2), and IGF type-I receptor (IGF-IR) mRNA abundance together with cell proliferation and apoptosis as determined histologically, and the mitochondrial proteins voltage-dependent anion channel and cytochrome c that are involved in apoptosis. Placenta was sampled at 80 and 140 days gestation (dGA; term ~147 dGA). NR was imposed between 28 and 80 days gestation when control and nutrient-restricted groups consumed 150 or 60% respectively of their total metabolizable energy requirements. All mothers were then fed to requirements up to term. Total fetal placentome weights were decreased by NR at 80 dGA but were heavier at 140 dGA following 60 days of nutritional rehabilitation. GR and UCP2 mRNA abundance increased whilst 11betaHSD2 mRNA decreased with gestational age. NR persistently up-regulated GR and UCP2 mRNA abundance. 11betaHSD2 mRNA was reduced by NR at 80 dGA but increased near to term. IGF-IRmRNA abundance was only decreased at 80 dGA. Placental apoptosis and mitochondrial protein abundance were unaffected by NR, whereas cell proliferation was markedly reduced. In conclusion, placental UCP2 and local glucocorticoid action are affected by the gestational nutritional status and may result in the offspring showing enhanced glucocorticoid sensitivity, thereby predisposing them to disease in later life.     

Late complications after systemic methotrexate treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancies: a report of three cases

BACKGROUND: The use of methotrexate (MTX) by systemic administration in the treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy has been reported as a safe and effective method. CASES: We report three cases (one hematosalpinx and two pelvic hematocoeles) of complications after the use of MTX in the treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancies. All three cases came to our observation for pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding and a pelvic mass after an interval of 3-5 months, subsequent to the disappearance of symptoms and normalization of serum human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit (beta-hCG) levels. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that: (a) such complications should be considered before selecting the mode of treatment for ectopic pregnancy; and (b) that an early ultrasonographic control should be performed after MTX treatment even when the decline in beta-hCG levels suggests a successful resolution. This would permit an early diagnosis of these late complications.     

Nocturnal dialysis: Comparing six night/week with alternate night therapy

The biochemical, haemodynamic, clinical, and nutritional benefits of nocturnal haemodialysis (NHD) compared with (c/w) 4 hr, 3/week conventional haemodialysis (CHD) are well known and accrue by increasing dialysis time and frequency either for 8 hrs alternate night/week (NHD_3.5) or for 8 hrs 6 nights/week NHD (NHD₆). However, there is little data yet comparing NHD_3.5 with NHD₆. 13 NHD₆(8.15 hrs/night) were c/w 14 NHD_3.5(7.8 hrs/night), all with similar demographic profiles. NHD₆ had unrestricted diet and fluid intake but NHD_3.5 needed some restriction. Before (_b) and after (_a) HD phosphate (PO₄) control was ideal though _bPO₄ levels for NHD₆ were lower (1.64 mmol/l) c/w NHD_3.5(1.83 mmol/l). All NHD₆ needed PO₄ supplementation c/w 2/14 NHD_3.5 but 5/14 NHD_3.5 needed PO₄ binders c/w 0/13 NHD₆. Both had normal blood pressures with 3/14 NHD_3.5 needing anti‐hypertensives c/w 2/13 NHD₆. The _bHb was 122.8 g/l (NHD₆) c/w 127.7 g/l (NHD_3.5) and the _balbumin was 38.3 g/l (NHD₆) c/w 37.7 g/l (NHD_3.5). NHD₆ had lower _b blood urea (10.2 c/w 19.5 mmol/l) and less interdialytic urea and creatinine fluctuation. NHD₆ ultrafiltration rates (UFR) and intradialytic weight gains (mean ± SEM) were significantly lower (248 ± 22.7 ml/hr and 2.03 ± 0.19 kg) c/w NHD_3.5(453 ± 34.6 ml/hr and 2.85 ± 0.27 kg): UFR p < 0.10. We conclude that NHD₆ offers the optimum biochemical, volume, and clinical outcome but NHD_3.5 still has a clear and major advantage over CHD and a dual additional appeal to providers seeking home‐based therapy cost advantages and consumable expenditure control. A flexible dialysis program should offer all the time and frequency options of NHD but, in particular, should support NHD at a frequency sympathetic to the clinical, rehabilitation, and lifestyle aspirations of individual patients.     

Parametric instability of a circular cylindrical shell with geometric imperfections

The static and dynamic behavior of a compressed circular cylindrical shell having geometric imperfections is analyzed. The analysis is mainly performed by means of the Donnell’s nonlinear shallow-shell theory. However, the refined Sanders shell theory is also used for comparison. A suitable expansion of the radial displacement, able to describe both buckling and dynamic behaviors is developed; the effect of geometric imperfections is accounted for by means of a modal representation. The response of the shell subjected to a sinusoidal axial excitation at its ends, giving rise to a parametric excitation, is considered. The effect of imperfections on the critical value of the dynamic load, that causes the loss of stability of the system, is analyzed. Interesting nonlinear dynamic phenomena are observed: direct resonance with softening behavior and parametric instability with period doubling response.     

Links between theory of mind and executive function in young children with autism: Clues to developmental primacy.

There has been much theoretical discussion of a functional link between theory of mind (ToM) and executive function (EF) in autism. This study sought to establish the relationship between ToM and EF in young children with autism (M = 5 years, 6 months) and to examine issues of developmental primacy. Thirty children with autism and 40 typically developing children, matched on age and ability, were assessed on a battery of tasks measuring ToM (1st- and 2nd-order false belief) and components of EF (planning, set shifting, inhibition). A significant correlation emerged between ToM and EF variables in the autism group, independent of age and ability, while ToM and higher order planning ability remained significantly related in the comparison group. Examination of the pattern of ToM-EF impairments in the autism group revealed dissociations in 1 direction only: impaired ToM with intact EF. These findings support the view that EF may be 1 important factor in the advancement of ToM understanding in autism. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)