[Reduction and control of school bullying is urgently needed]

School bullying and campus violence is a widespread social problem in the world. School bullying is characterized by its repeatability and suddenness, which could make the victims suffering from both psychological and health damage, and even affect their personality growth. Government should pay close attention to the reduction and control of school bullying and campus violence by establishing school bullying emergency response system and preparedness plan. The school and teacher's role and legal responsibility in the service and management in schools should be cleared and defined. It is necessary to help teachers conduct early detection and intervention for school bullying, conduct morality, mental health and legal educations in students to teach them to act according to the law and protect themselves according to the law and help them identify and avoid risks, encourage the establishment of rescue facility and web of anti-school bullying by non-government organizations, and set hotline for school bullying incident to reduce the incidence of school bullying.

[A method for rapid extracting three-dimensional root model of vivo tooth from cone beam computed tomography data based on the anatomical characteristics of periodontal ligament]

OBJECTIVE

To explore a new method for rapid extracting and rebuilding three-dimensional (3D) digital root model of vivo tooth from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data based on the anatomical characteristics of periodontal ligament, and to evaluate the extraction accuracy of the method.

METHODS

In the study, 15 extracted teeth (11 with single root, 4 with double roots) were collected from oral clinic and 3D digital root models of each tooth were obtained by 3D dental scanner with a high accuracy 0.02 mm in STL format. CBCT data for each patient were acquired before tooth extraction, DICOM data with a voxel size 0.3 mm were input to Mimics 18.0 software. Segmentation, Morphology operations, Boolean operations and Smart expanded function in Mimics software were used to edit teeth, bone and periodontal ligament threshold mask, and root threshold mask were automatically acquired after a series of mask operations. 3D digital root models were extracted in STL format finally. 3D morphology deviation between the extracted root models and corresponding vivo root models were compared in Geomagic Studio 2012 software. The 3D size errors in long axis, bucco-lingual direction and mesio-distal direction were also calculated.

RESULTS

The average value of the 3D morphology deviation for 15 roots by calculating Root Mean Square (RMS) value was 0.22 mm, the average size errors in the mesio-distal direction, the bucco-lingual direction and the long axis were 0.46 mm, 0.36 mm and -0.68 mm separately. The average time of this new method for extracting single root was about 2-3 min. It could meet the accuracy requirement of the root 3D reconstruction fororal clinical use.

CONCLUSION

This study established a new method for rapid extracting 3D root model of vivo tooth from CBCT data. It could simplify the traditional manual operation and improve the efficiency and automation of single root extraction. The strategy of this method for complete dentition extraction needs further research.

[Evaluation of the quality of three-dimensional data acquired by using two kinds of structure light intra-oral scanner to scan the crown preparation model]

OBJECTIVE

To quantitatively evaluate the quality and accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) data acquired by using two kinds of structure intra-oral scanner to scan the typical teeth crown preparations.

METHODS

Eight typical teeth crown preparations model were scanned 3 times with two kinds of structured light intra-oral scanner(A, B), as test group. A high precision model scanner were used to scan the model as true value group. The data above the cervical margin was extracted. The indexes of quality including non-manifold edges, the self-intersections, highly-creased edges, spikes, small components, small tunnels, small holes and the anount of triangles were measured with the tool of mesh doctor in Geomagic studio 2012. The scanned data of test group were aligned to the data of true value group. 3D deviations of the test group compared with true value group were measured for each scanned point, each preparation and each group. Independent-samples Mann-Whitney U test was applied to analyze 3D deviations for each scanned point of A and B group. Correlation analysis was applied to index values and 3D deviation values.

RESULTS

The total number of spikes in A group was 96, and that in B group and true value group were 5 and 0 respectively. Trueness: A group 8.0 (8.3) μm, B group 9.5 (11.5) μm(P>0.05). Correlation analysis of the number of spikes with data precision of A group was r=0.46.

CONCLUSIONS

In the study, the qulity of the scanner B is better than scanner A, the difference of accuracy is not statistically significant. There is correlation between quality and data precision of the data scanned with scanner A.

Vitamin D and micro-inflammatory state in hemodialysis patients: a mini review and meta-analysis

There is growing evidence that vitamin D (VitD) plays a role in the pathophysiological mechanism of every patient undergoing hemodialysis, and this role is significantly altered in a microinflammatory state. However, it is unclear whether supplementation dosage or route of administration should be altered due to this state. Thus, the objective of our mini review and meta-analysis was to re-consider supplementation of VitD in HD patients exhibiting micro-inflammatory state. Pubmed, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched up to January 19, 2016. We included studies that evaluated supplementation in HD patients with micro-inflammatory state. One reviewer extracted data and one reviewer verified the data accuracy. We qualitatively summarized the main results and meta-analyzed data on comparable outcomes across studies. The main outcome measures were serum levels of VitD. Ten eligible studies were published between 2002 and 2016, involving a total 1,239 patients. Average vintage of hemodialysis was 35.36 (±31.08) months. We identified a high degree of clinical diversity (interventions and outcomes) and methodological heterogeneity (sample size and risk of bias) in included trials. The studies we reviewed provide some weak evidence to support VitD supplementation in patients on hemodialysis exhibiting micro-inflammatory state. We recommend that future trials focus on our main outcome measures (that is variable comparable across studies).

[Evaluation of three methods for constructing craniofacial mid-sagittal plane based on the cone beam computed tomography]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the accuracyof interactive closet point (ICP) algorithm, Procrustes analysis (PA) algorithm,and a landmark-independent method to construct the mid-sagittal plane (MSP) of the cone beam computed tomography.To provide theoretical basis for establishing coordinate systemof CBCT images and symmetric analysis.

METHODS

Ten patients were selected and scanned by CBCT before orthodontic treatment.The scan data was imported into Mimics 10.0 to reconstructthree dimensional skulls.And the MSP of each skull was generated by ICP algorithm, PA algorithm and landmark-independent method. MSP extracted by ICP algorithm or PA algorithm involvedthree steps. First, the 3D skull processing was performed by reverse engineering software geomagic studio 2012 to obtain the mirror skull. Then, the original and its mirror skull was registered separately by ICP algorithm in geomagic studio 2012 and PA algorithm in NX Imageware 11.0. Finally, the registered data were united into new data to calculate the MSP of the originaldata in geomagic studio 2012. The mid-sagittal plane was determined by SELLA (S), nasion (N), basion (Ba) as traditional landmark-dependent methodconducted in software InVivoDental 5.0. The distance from 9 pairs of symmetric anatomical marked points to three sagittal plane were measured and calculated to compare the differences of the absolute value. The one-way ANOVA test was used to analyze the variable differences among the 3 MSPs. The pairwise comparison was performed with LSD method.

RESULTS

MSPs calculated by the three methods were available for clinic analysis, which could be concluded from the front view.However, there was significant differences among the distances from the 9 pairs of symmetric anatomical marked points to the MSPs (F=10.932,P=0.001).LSD test showed there was no significant difference between the ICP algorithm and landmark-independent method (P=0.11), while there was significant difference between the PA algorithm and landmark-independent methods (P=0.01) .

CONCLUSION

Mid-sagittal plane of 3D skulls could be generated base on ICP algorithm or PA algorithm. There was no significant difference between the ICP algorithm and landmark-independent method. For the subjects with no evident asymmetry, ICP algorithm is feasible in clinical analysis.

Desmoglein 4 diversity and correlation analysis with coat color in goat

Desmoglein 4 (DSG4) has an important role in the development of wool traits in domestic animals. The full-length DSG4 gene, which contains 3918 bp, a complete open-reading-frame, and encodes a 1040-amino acid protein, was amplified from Liaoning cashmere goat. The sequence was compared with that of DSG4 from other animals and the results show that the DSG4 coding region is consistent with interspecies conservation. Thirteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in a highly variable region of DSG4, and one SNP (M-1, G>T) was significantly correlated with white and black coat color in goat. Haplotype distribution of the highly variable region of DSG4 was assessed in 179 individuals from seven goat breeds to investigate its association with coat color and its differentiation among populations. However, the lack of a signature result indicates DGS4 haplotypes related with the color of goat coat.

A Mechanism for the Temporal Potentiation of Genipin to the Cytotoxicity of Cisplatin in Colon Cancer Cells

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the potentiation effect of Genipin to Cisplatin induced cell senescence in HCT-116 colon cancer cells in vitro.

METHODS

Cell viability was estimated by Propidium iodide and Hoechst 3342, reactive oxygen species (ROS) with DHE, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) with JC-1 MMP assay Kit and electron current production with microbial fuel cells (MFC).

RESULTS

Genipin inhibited the UCP2 mediated anti-oxidative proton leak significantly promoted the Cisplatin induced ROS and subsequent cell death, which was similar to that of UCP2-siRNA. Cells treated with Cisplatin alone or combined with Genipin, ROS negatively, while MMP positively correlated with cell viability. Cisplatin induced ROS was significantly decreased by detouring electrons to MFC, or increased by Genipin combined treatment. Compensatory effects of UCP2 up-regulation with time against Genipin treatment were suggested. Shorter the Genipin treatment before Cisplatin better promoted the Cisplatin induced ROS and subsequent cell death.

CONCLUSION

The interaction of leaked electron with Cisplatin was important during ROS generation. Inhibition of UCP2-mediated proton leak with Genipin potentiated the cytotoxicity of Cisplatin. Owing to the compensatory effects against Genipin, shorter Genipin treatment before Cisplatin was recommended in order to achieve better potentiation effect.

Variability with altitude of major histocompatibility complex-related microsatellite loci in goats from Southwest China

We aimed to use microsatellite BM1258 loci of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) as an indicator of the influence of genetic diversity of immunity in goats (Dazu Black, Hechuan White, Meigu, and Tibetan goat). In total, 132 animals comprising 50 Dazu Black goats, 24 Hechuan White goats, 34 Meigu goats, and 24 Tibetan goats were examined. Collectively, 18 different alleles and 42 genotypes were found. The overall observed levels of heterozygosity showed large divergence from the expected levels in the four breeds, and an increase in the mean number of alleles of BM1258 accompanied decreasing altitude of the livestock's habitat. Our results indicate that low-altitude regions or plains were more conducive to genetic material exchange and gene flow between different populations. In addition, it seems that the breeds from low-altitude regions were less susceptible to problems introduced by commercial animals.

Dynamic comparison of genetic diversity in a Small Tail Han sheep population using meta-analysis

The aim of this research was to identify the dynamic diversity of Small Tail Han sheep in its main producing areas between different years, and provide a basis for a breeding and genetic resources conservation strategy. For this purpose, 15 microsatellites were genotyped for Small Tail Han Sheep sampled in 2014 from Heze, China, and a comparative analysis of these data with those from a previous study was undertaken using meta-analysis. The results reveal that inbreeding has caused a reduction in diversity of Small Tail Han Sheep from 2008 to 2014. Overall, our results are helpful in understanding the dynamic change in diversity, as well as providing information for a conservation strategy for this population.

Correlation between polymorphisms in the IL-17A and IL-17F genes and development of coronary artery disease

A case-control study was conducted to investigate the association between genetic variants of IL-17A rs2275913 and IL-17F rs763780 and the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a Chinese population. A total of 306 individuals with CAD and 306 unaffected individuals were enrolled from the Zhengzhou People's Hospital between May 2012 and May 2014. The IL-17A rs2275913 and IL-17F rs763780 genes were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction combined with a restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with the AA genotype of rs2275913 were associated with increased risk of CAD, compared to those with the GG genotype in a codominant model [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10-3.53]. On the other hand, the AA genotype of rs2275913 was correlated with moderately increased risk of CAD compared to the GG + GA genotype (adjusted OR = 1.76; 95%CI = 1.02-3.07) in a recessive model. However, no significant differences were observed between polymorphisms at the IL-17F rs763780 locus and CAD risk, in codominant, dominant, and recessive models. In conclusion, the results of our study suggested that the IL-17A rs2275913 polymorphism may affect the development of CAD; however, no significant association was observed between the IL-17F rs763780 polymorphism and risk of CAD.

Brief Note Low diversity of the major histocompatibility complex class II DRA gene in domestic goats (Capra hircus) in Southern China

DRA encodes the alpha chain of the DR heterodimer, is closely linked to DRB and is considered almost monomorphic in major histocompatibility complex region. In this study, we identified the exon 2 of DRA to evaluate the immunogenetic diversity of Chinese south indigenous goat. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in an untranslated region and one synonymous substitution in coding region were identified. These data suggest that high immunodiversity in native Chinese population.

Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of esomeprazole in gastroesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori infection

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most widely used classes of drugs. However, the quantum clinical benefit of newer and more expensive PPIs over the older generation PPIs remains uncertain. This meta-analysis sought to assess the clinical and safety profiles of esomeprazole versus omeprazole at pharmacologically equivalent doses in healing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease and eradicating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

METHODS

PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing esomeprazole with omeprazole at all doses up to February 2015. Trials were assessed by two reviewers for eligibility according to predefined study inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model, and heterogeneity in the estimated effects was investigated using meta-regression. Sensitivity analysis was performed to test the robustness of the findings.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Fifteen trials were included and none of which compared esomeprazole with omeprazole in peptic ulcer disease. The included studies had not evaluated esomeprazole 20 mg versus omeprazole 40 mg. In GERD, esomeprazole 40 mg (relative risk (RR) = 1·07; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·02 to 1·12) and 20 mg (RR=1·04; 95% CI 1·01 to 1·08) significantly improved esophagitis healing when compared with omeprazole 20 mg at week 8. The corresponding numbers needed to treat were 17 and 30, respectively. No significant difference was observed between esomeprazole 20 mg and omeprazole 20 mg at week 4. In H. pylori eradication, there was no difference in the treatment effects between esomeprazole 20 mg and omeprazole 20 mg (RR = 1·01;95% CI 0·96 to 1·05). Their safety profiles were comparable.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Esomeprazole demonstrated better esophagitis healing rate in patients with GERD than omeprazole at week 8. However, this clinical advantage diminished when both drugs were given at the same doses at week 4. Superiority of esomeprazole was not observed in the H. pylori eradication rates.

[Comparison of two kinds of methods evaluating the degree of facial asymmetry by three-dimensional data]

OBJECTIVE

To compare two digital methods of quantitatively accessing the degree of facial asymmetry by three-dimensional data.

METHODS

The three-dimensional data of 20 subjects were got by the FaceScan, and then were input to the reverse engineering software Imageware 13.0 and Geomagic 12. Their mirror data were acquired and superimposed with the original data by the methods of interactive closest points (ICP) and Procrustes analysis (PA). The mid-sagittal planes of the two methods were extracted respectively, the degree of facial asymmetry and the distance of 21 automatic landmarks to mid-sagittal plane were calculated and compared.

RESULTS

The paired t test was taken and t=1.346, P=0.193.

CONCLUSION

We can safely come to the conclusions that for the subjects with no evident facial asymmetry, there are no significant difference between the PA and the ICP methods for extracting the mid-sagittal plane from three-dimensional data.

Short Communication: Diversity of TNF-α region in Chinese domestic goats

Tumor necrosis factor-α is a cytokine with a wide range of effects on both lymphoid and non-lymphoid cells. In this study, we identified polymorphisms in major histocompatibility complex class III gene in the 4th exon and the 3' untranslated region of tumor necrosis factor-α to evaluate the immunogenetic diversity of Chinese south indigenous goat. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified and showed similar frequencies in different except MI loci. These data suggest that the high immunodiversity of the tumor necrosis factor-α region within these breeds can be used for strengthening variety improvement and promoting animal husbandry development in Chinese indigenous goats.

Multiband signal reconstruction for random equivalent sampling

The random equivalent sampling (RES) is a sampling approach that can be applied to capture high speed repetitive signals with a sampling rate that is much lower than the Nyquist rate. However, the uneven random distribution of the time interval between the excitation pulse and the signal degrades the signal reconstruction performance. For sparse multiband signal sampling, the compressed sensing (CS) based signal reconstruction algorithm can tease out the band supports with overwhelming probability and reduce the impact of uneven random distribution in RES. In this paper, the mathematical model of RES behavior is constructed in the frequency domain. Based on the constructed mathematical model, the band supports of signal can be determined. Experimental results demonstrate that, for a signal with unknown sparse multiband, the proposed CS-based signal reconstruction algorithm is feasible, and the CS reconstruction algorithm outperforms the traditional RES signal reconstruction method.

Heteroepitaxy of tetragonal BiFeO(3) on hexagonal sapphire(0001)

Highly elongated BiFeO3 is epitaxially grown on hexagonal sapphire(0001) substrate within a rather narrow synthesis window. Both X-ray reciprocal space maps and Raman characterizations reveal that it is of true tetragonal symmetry but not the commonly observed MC type monoclinic structure. The tetragonal BiFeO3 film exhibits an island growth mode, with the island edges oriented parallel to the ⟨10-10⟩ and ⟨12-30⟩ directions of the sapphire substrate. With increasing deposition time, a transition from square island to elongated island and then to a continuous film is observed. The metastable tetragonal phase can remain on the substrate without relaxation to the thermally stable rhombohedral phase up to a critical thickness of 450 nm, providing an exciting opportunity for practicable lead-free ferroelectrics. These results facilitate a better understanding of the phase stability of BiFeO3 polymorphs and enrich the knowledge about the heteroepitaxial growth mechanism of functional oxides on symmetry-mismatched substrates.

Remarks on the validity of Myxobolus ampullicapsulatus and Myxobolus honghuensis (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) based on SSU rDNA sequences

In the present study, we isolated three populations of Myxobolus ampullicapsulatus from the gills of crucian carp, Carassius auratus auratus, two from Yongchuan, Chongqing area and one from Poyang Lake, Jiangxi area, China, sequenced their complete small subunit ribosome RNA gene, analyzed their genetic distance and gene similarity, and explored their relationship based on Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses of their small subunit ribosomal DNA. The results combined with their morphological characteristics suggest that M. ampullicapsulatus infecting the gills and pharynx of allogynogenetic gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio, should be Myxobolus honghuensis. This study highlights the importance of DNA sequence comparisons for distinguishing Myxobolus species and indicates that the intra-species identification for the two Myxobolus species mentioned in the present research should be less than ten variation sites. In morphology, M. honghuensis Liu et al. (2012) parasitic on the gills of C. auratus auratus (goldfish) was collected from Chongqing area, and its mature spore was 16.5–19.5 × 8.5–10.0 μm in size, polar capsule was 7.0–10.0 × 2.5–4.0 μm in size, and polar filament had 9–10 coils. M. honghuensis Liu et al. (2012) isolated from the pharynx of C. auratus gibelio was sampled in Hubei area, and its mature spore was 15.1–19.5 × 9.0–11.3 μm in size, polar capsule was 7.9–8.1 × 3.0–4.5 μm in size, and polar filament had 7–8 coils.

Estimating the lifetime economic burden of Parkinson's disease in Singapore

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We aimed to estimate the lifetime cost of Parkinson's disease (PD) from the societal perspective.

METHODS

A convenience sample of English or Chinese-speaking patients with PD was recruited from a PD and Movement Disorders Centre in Singapore to complete a financial burden questionnaire. Sociodemographic and clinical data were retrieved from hospital databases. Markov cohort model analysis was performed (cycle length, 1-year; duration, death or reached 100 years old). Patients were assumed to progress from one Markov state to the next state or death without skipping states or regressing. All model parameters were based on published local data.

RESULTS

In 195 patients with PD (median age: 68.9, male: 51.8%), the simulated lifetime cost of PD was Singapore Dollar (SGD) 60,487 (EUR purchasing power parity 56,253) per patient. Direct medical, non-medical and indirect cost accounted for 18.8%, 12.8% and 68.4% of total lifetime cost, respectively. The top three components of total lifetime cost were productivity losses (67.6%), pharmacotherapy (11.4%) and home care (8.7%). One-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analyses revealed that estimates were sensitive to cost at H&Y stage 1, 2 and 2.5 and productivity losses.

CONCLUSIONS

The lifetime cost of PD is evaluated for the first time. This cost is substantial and comparable to the lifetime cost of intracerebral haemorrhage in at least one study. Our study identified several priority areas for research and policy formulation: reducing productivity losses, reducing cost of pharmacotherapy, avoiding hospitalization and reducing home care cost.

Association between interleukin 21 and Graves' disease

Graves' disease (GD) is an organ-specific autoimmune thyroid disease; 25-50% of GD patients will develop Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). The etiology of GD and GO may be multifactorial, but the immune response plays a central role. Many studies have reported that IL-21 has crucial roles in autoimmune diseases. We examined whether IL-21 is associated with the development of GD and GO. The serum concentration of IL-21 was tested in 40 primary GD patients, 42 treated GO patients and 24 healthy controls. Our data show that the serum level of IL-21 is associated with the development of GD. We also made an association study with the IL-21 gene polymorphisms rs4833837, rs907715 and rs13143866 in a comparison of 633 patients and 612 healthy controls from the Chinese population. This case-control association study demonstrated that rs907715 SNP is significantly associated with GD, while the rs13143866 A allele is significantly associated with GO. The haplotypes A-G-G and A-A-A were found at higher and lower frequencies, respectively, in GD patients, suggesting a protective role for A-A-A. However, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of these haplotypes between the GO patients and the control group. We found no association between IL-21 gene polymorphisms and the age of GD onset. We conclude that IL-21 is associated with GD and GO.

A pilot study of endoscopic spray cryotherapy by pressurized carbon dioxide gas for Barrett's esophagus

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Endoscopic spray cryoablation is a novel approach for the treatment of Barrett's esophagus. However, few studies have reported its efficacy, especially with the use of carbon dioxide (CO (2)). The aim of the current study was to evaluate the short term efficacy and complications using CO (2) in endoscopic cryoablation of Barrett's esophagus.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus underwent monthly stepwise cryoablation with pressurized CO (2) gas, with follow-up esophageal biopsies until complete histological reversal was achieved. Responses were analyzed with an intention-to-treat analysis according to complete response for intestinal metaplasia (CR-IM), which was defined as the elimination of all intestinal metaplasia including specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM), subsquamous SIM, and dysplasia with intestinal metaplasia in the biopsies under narrow-band imaging (NBI).

RESULTS

In total, 22 patients were enrolled, 20 of whom completed the treatment. Two patients declined further ablation after the first cryotherapy session. A total of 44 sessions were performed; a median of 2 sessions per patient (range 1 - 3 sessions) were needed to complete the ablation of Barrett's esophagus. No severe complications occurred. Follow-up endoscopies were performed in 20 patients (90.9 %). Two patients (9.1 %) were lost to follow-up. Median follow-up was 10 months (range 6 - 18 months). After cryotherapy, 20 patients (90.9 %) reached CR-IM of Barrett's esophagus. Patients underwent a median number of 3 follow-up endoscopies (range 2 - 4) with biopsies. At 6 months, recurrence was evident in three patients (13.6 % of the overall population, 15.0 % of the CR-IM population). One of the three patients developed intestinal metaplasia but no dysplastic change and the other two developed subsquamous SIM.

CONCLUSIONS

The pressurized CO (2) spray cryotherapy is a relatively effective and safe endoscopic treatment for Barrett's esophagus.

Economic burden of Parkinson's disease in Singapore

BACKGROUND

This study was carried out to evaluate the economic burden of Parkinson's disease (PD) and factors independently associated with individual components of total cost in Singapore.

METHODS

A consecutive sample of 195 patients with PD (mean age: 68.2, men: 51.8%) attending a tertiary neuroscience clinic were identified and interviewed using standardized questionnaires including a financial burden questionnaire, two Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) questionnaires and the Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire.

RESULTS

Annual total cost of PD from a societal perspective was SGD11345 (USD10129) per patient, with direct cost accounted for 38.5% and indirect cost 61.5%. The main cost components for direct medical cost, direct non-medical cost, and indirect cost was pharmacotherapy (50.4%), home care (76.1%), and productivity loss (97.9%), respectively. In multiple linear regression analysis, higher education, younger age and longer duration of PD were associated with higher total cost.

CONCLUSIONS

Parkinson's disease exerts a considerable burden on patients, health care system and society in Singapore. As productivity loss accounts for a large share of the economic burden imposed by PD, treatments and health care programmes with potential for returning patients to higher productivity are urgently needed.

Reproductive health risks and HIV infection vulnerability of hostesses in metropolitan areas, China: a qualitative study

In this paper, we describe sex-related health risks among hostesses in two metropolises in China based on data obtained from in-depth interviews. The data show that hostesses, many engaging in commercial sex, are vulnerable to HIV infection, unwanted pregnancies and reproductive tract infections. Nevertheless, many obstacles still are present that hinder them from engaging in safe sex. The findings from our study illustrate the need for targeted interventions in order to improve reproductive health and promote safe sex among this group.

Six cases of ectopic ACTH syndrome caused by thymic carcinoid

The ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) caused by thymic carcinoid is rare and its diagnosis remains a challenge to the endocrinologist. Here are six cases of EAS with a typical Cushing habitus accompanied by hyperpigmentation and hypokalemia. For all six patients, the high dose (8 mg) dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST) showed lack of suppression, computed tomography (CT) scanning documented anterior mediastinal masses, and the mediastenal tumors removed were confirmed as ACTH secreting thymic carcinoids by positive ACTH and NSE staining. Our data indicate that HDDST chest radiologic imaging and other laboratory examinations will greatly assist in diagnosing the thymic carcinoid-induced EAS at an earlier stage, which will significantly improve the long-term survival of the patient.

Relationships between the changes of serum levels of OPG and RANKL with age, menopause, bone biochemical markers and bone mineral density in Chinese women aged 20-75

The correlations between the serum levels of OPG, RANKL with age, menopause, bone markers, and bone mineral densities (BMDs) at the lumbar spine and proximal femur were studied in 504 pre- and postmenopausal Chinese women aged 20-75 years. We found that age was positively and negatively correlated with serum concentrations of OPG (r = 0.442, P < 0.001) and RANKL (r = -0.263, P < 0.001), respectively. Compared with premenopausal women, postmenopausal women showed higher serum OPG levels (107.6 +/- 3.0 vs 72.0 +/- 1.8 pg/ml, P < 0.001), lower serum RANKL concentrations (4.7 +/- 0.4 vs. 5.8 +/- 0.3 pg/ml, P < 0.001) and RANKL/OPG ratios (0.045 +/- 0. 004 vs. 0.099 +/- 0.008, P < 0.001). Neither serum levels of OPG nor RANKL or RANKL/OPG ratio correlated with BMDs after adjustment of age and menopause. They also showed no differences among normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic postmenopausal women. Serum levels of OPG were positively correlated with urinary excretion of NTx (r = 0.1453, P = 0.006). Serum levels of RANKL (r = -0.1928, P < 0.001) and RANKL/OPG ratio (r = -0.1303, P = 0.013) were inversely correlated with serum concentrations of OC. In multiple regression analysis, up to 20% variance (R(2) = 0.106-0.224) of the OPG-RANKL system in peripheral circulation can be explained by age, menopause and bone markers. These results suggest that although serum OPG and RANKL concentrations were unrelated with BMDs, the age- and menopause- dependent changes of serum OPG and RANKL might be a protective mechanism against the accelerated bone loss in postmenopausal women.

[Appraisal and analysis of heat removing characteristic of liquid cooling garment using thermal manikin]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the relation of the design parameters and appraise the heat removing characteristic of liquid cooling garment (LCG) using thermal manikin.

METHOD

To appraise the design of LCG, the thermal manikin wearing LCG and heat insulation garment was put in the temperature cabin, then the inlet and outlet temperature of cooling liquid in the LCG were measured and the heat removed was calculated.

RESULT

The relationship between the design parameters and heat removed, and also that between the design parameters and temperature ratio efficiency were found. And the heat removed was calculated. It provided a reasonable basis for appraisal of LCG.

CONCLUSION

The design of the LCG for the EVA space suit was found to be reasonable. The flow rate regulation range was too narrow, and the change of heat removing capacity depended on the change of inlet temperature.

Heterochromatin and interstitial telomeric DNA homology

The purpose of this investigation was twofold. The first objective was to demonstrate that, in most of ten mammalian species commonly used in biomedical research, not all constitutive heterochromatin (C-bands) represents telomeric DNA. For example, the C-bands in human chromosomes, the long arm of the X and the entire Y chromosome of Chinese hamster, and most of the short arms of Peromyscus and Syrian hamster chromosomes are not telomeric DNA. In addition to the usual terminal telomeric DNA in the chromosomes of these mammalian species, the pericentromeric regions of seven or eight Syrian hamster chromosomes and all Chinese hamster chromosomes except pair one have pericentromeric regions that hybridize with telomeric DNA, some in C-bands and some not. The second objective was to describe a simple fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) reverse-printing procedure to produce black-and-white microphotographs of metaphase and interphase cells showing locations of telomeric DNA with no loss of resolution. Thus, at least three different types of heterochromatin (telomeric heterochromatin, nontelomeric heterochromatin and a combination of both) are present in these mammalian species, and this simple black-and-white reverse printing of telomeric FISH preparations can depict them economically without sacrificing clarity.

Comparative efficacy as antioxidants between ascorbic acid and epigallocatechin gallate on cells of two human lymphoblastoid lines

Both ascorbic acid and epigallocatechin gallate, which is one of the key polyphenols contained in green tea leaves, have been considered excellent antioxidants. The present study compared the efficacy as antioxidants between the two agents on an equimolar basis. Cells of two lymphoid lines were used as test material to determine the reduction of chromosome damage induced by the radiomimetic antibiotic bleomycin. Without bleomycin, both agents, at concentrations of 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5), and 10(-4) M, showed chromosome damage similar to the untreated controls. With bleomycin, the weakest concentration of both showed no protective effect. At concentrations of 10(-6) and 10(-5) M, especially the latter, a significant reduction in frequencies of chromatid breaks was recorded. However, at the highest concentration, 10(-4) M, the chromatid break frequencies rose to the same level as that of cells treated with bleomycin alone, suggesting that both behaved like pro-oxidants.

Interaction between HIV type 1 glycoprotein 120 and CXCR4 coreceptor involves a highly conserved arginine residue in hypervariable region 3

Several seven-transmembrane chemokine receptors are known to function as entry coreceptors for human immunodeficiency virus type 1. CCR5 and CXCR4 are the major coreceptors for non-syncytium-inducing (NSI) and syncytium-inducing (SI) viruses, respectively. During the natural course of infection, the emergence of variants with a phenotypic transition from NSI to SI and rapid disease progression is associated with expanded coreceptor usage to CXCR4. Characteristic amino acids at several positions in the hypervariable region 3 (V3) of gp120 have been linked to CXCR4 utilization. Previously, we reported that a highly conserved arginine residue of V3 played an important role in CCR5 utilization. In this study, the possible involvement of the same arginine residue in CXCR4 utilization was investigated. Amino acid substitutions introduced to this arginine on R5X4 viruses were found to have a significant effect on their utilization of CXCR4. These results, taken together with those reported previously, suggest that this highly conserved arginine may contribute to the functional convergence of chemokine coreceptor utilization by human immunodeficiency viruses and may represent a unique target for future antiviral design.

[Thyroidectomy and injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve]

OBJECTIVE

To study factors related to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis, a major complication of thyroidectomy.

METHOD

Retrospective study of outcome of patient's medical records in Xijing Hospital and Tumor Hospital of Liaoning Province. Records of 1,563 patients who underwent thyroidectomy by departments of general surgery, ENT and head & neck surgery at these two hospitals were reviewed for RLN paralysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

RLN injury was analyzed in relation to types of surgery, RLN identification, and histopathology.

RESULT

The incidence of RLN paralysis was 7.8%, and significantly related to the histopathologic findings of malignancy (P < 0.01). The positive identification and prevention of RLN would not be in either permanent RLN paralysis or temporary RLN paralysis, and the types of surgery were not found to be significant factors in both paralysis.

CONCLUSION

RLNs should be identified to avoid iatrogenic injury and subsequent paralysis, and meticulous surgical technique should be applied in patients whose results of biopsy suggested malignancy.

A novel four base-pair deletion within the Agamma-GLOBin gene promoter associated with slight increase of Agamma expression in adult

We studied a Chinese family and revealed 5.4% and 3.2% fetal hemoglobin (HbF) with advantageously Agamma type in the mother and the daughter, respectively, using alkali denaturation assay and urea-Triton-acrylamide gel electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography. The father's HbF was less than 0.5%. Large deletion was not observed within the beta-globin gene cluster by restriction endonuclease mapping. Characterization by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing demonstrated the mother is a homozygote with a novel four base-pair "AAGC" (-226 to -223) deletion within the Agamma-globin gene promoter and the daughter is a heterozygote with this deletion. The deletion was not detected in the father. No any mutations were identified in the Ggamma promoter of all the subjects studied. We propose that the small deletion is associated with the slight increase of Agamma gene expression in adult.

Attenuation of ischemic inflammatory response in mouse brain using an adenoviral vector to induce overexpression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

It has been demonstrated that administration of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-1ra) reduces ischemic brain injury; however, the detrimental mechanism initiated by interleukin-1 (IL-1) in ischemic brain injury is unclear. In this study, we used mice that were transfected to overexpress human IL-1ra to elucidate the role of IL-1 in the activation of the inflammatory response after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and immunohistostaining were used as a marker of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) infiltration. Adenoviral vector (1 x 10(9) particles) was administered by injection into the right lateral ventricle in mice. Five days later, MCAO was performed on the mice using a suture technique. Permanent MCAO was achieved for 24 hours in the Ad.RSVIL-1ra-transfected. Ad.RSVlacZ-transfected, and saline (control) mice. Myeloperoxidase activity was quantified in each region and localization of MPO was determined by immunohistochemistry. After 2 hours of MCAO, the surface cerebral blood flow was reduced to 13.5% +/- 3.4%, 10.75% +/- 2.6%, and 10.9% +/- 2.6% of baseline in the ischemic hemisphere in Ad.RSVIL-1ra-transfected, Ad.RSVlacZ-transfected, and saline-treated mice, respectively. The MPO activity in the ischemic hemisphere in the Ad.RSVlacZ group was similar to that in the saline control group (cortex: 0.40 +/- 0.22 versus 0.33 +/- 0.11; basal ganglia: 0.46 +/- 0.23 versus 0.49 +/- 0.17; P > 0.05); however, it was significantly reduced in the Ad.RSVIL-1ra group (cortex: 0.18 +/- 0.07; basal ganglia: 0.26 +/- 0.15; P < 0.05). Myeloperoxidase immunohistochemistry showed that the massive accumulation of MPO-positive cells in the ischemic cortex, striatum, and corpus callosum regions was greatly attenuated in Ad.RSVIL-1ra-transfected mice. Our results indicate that Ad.RSVIL-1ra-transfected mice provide a useful tool to study the mechanism of action of IL-1. The MPO activity assay and immunostaining after 24 hours of focal ischemia were significantly reduced in IL-1ra gene-transfected mice, suggesting that IL-1 may play an important role in the activation of inflammatory cells during focal cerebral ischemia.

Contributions of cell kill and posttreatment tumor growth rates to the repopulation of intracerebral 9L tumors after chemotherapy: an MRI study

The drought of progress in clinical brain tumor therapy provides an impetus for developing new treatments as well as methods for testing therapeutics in animal models. The inability of traditional assays to simultaneously measure tumor size, location, growth kinetics, and cell kill achieved by a treatment complicates the interpretation of therapy experiments in animal models. To address these issues, tumor volume measurements obtained from serial magnetic resonance images were used to noninvasively estimate cell kill values in individual rats with intracerebral 9L tumors after treatment with 0.5, 1, or 2 x LD10 doses of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea. The calculated cell kill values were consistently lower than those reported using traditional assays. A dose-dependent increase in 9L tumor doubling time after treatment was observed that significantly contributed to the time required for surviving cells to repopulate the tumor mass. This study reveals that increases in animal survival are not exclusively attributable to the fraction of tumor cells killed but rather are a function of the cell kill and repopulation kinetics, both of which vary with treatment dose.

CCR5 coreceptor utilization involves a highly conserved arginine residue of HIV type 1 gp120

The seven-transmembrane CCR5 was recently found to double as a coreceptor for a genetically diverse family of human and nonhuman primate lentiviruses. Paradoxically, the main region of the envelope protein believed to be involved in CCR5 utilization was mapped to hypervariable region 3, or V3, of the envelope glycoprotein gp120. In this study, we addressed the question of whether functional convergence in CCR5 utilization is mediated by certain V3 residues that are highly conserved among HIV type 1 (HIV-1), HIV type 2, and simian immunodeficiency virus. Site-directed mutagenesis carried out on three such V3 residues revealed that the Arg-298 of HIV-1 gp120 has an important role in CCR5 utilization. In contrast, no effect was observed for the other residues we tested. The inability of Arg-298 mutants to use CCR5 was not attributed to global alteration of gp120 conformation. Neither the expression, processing, and incorporation of mutant envelope proteins into virions, nor CD4 binding were significantly affected by the mutations. This interpretation is further supported by the finding that alanine substitutions of five residues immediately adjacent to the arginine residue had no effect on CCR5 utilization. Taken together, our data strongly suggests that the highly conserved Arg-298 residue identified in the V3 of HIV-1 has a significant role in CCR5 utilization, and may represent an unusually conserved target for future anti-viral designs.

Acute ethanol effects on focal cerebral ischemia in fasted rats

The effects of acute ethanol intoxication were investigated in a rat model of unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. Groups of 5 to 8 male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 4 hr of left middle cerebral artery occlusion. All groups were deprived of food overnight and were pretreated intraperitoneally with 5% dextrose solution (10 ml/kg), 20% ethyl alcohol in 5% dextrose solution (2 g/kg), or 30% ethyl alcohol in a 5% dextrose solution (3 g/kg) 1 hr before middle cerebral artery occlusion. Regional cerebral blood flow during ipsilateral occlusion was approximately 9.1 to 10% of baseline in all groups. The mean % brain water content in control, 2 g/kg ethanol-treated groups, and 3 g/kg ethanol-treated groups were: in the ischemic core--81.6, 81.2, and 82.4; intermediate zone--80.5, 80.6, and 81.7; and outer zone--79.7, 79.7, and 80.8, respectively. Brain Na+ and K+ content in the three groups was related to water content, but much greater with ethanol pretreatment. The water content of the intermediate zones in the 3 g/kg ethanol-treated animals was significantly greater than in the control (p < 0.01 and 0.001) and the 2 g/kg ethanol-treated groups. One-way analysis of variance indicated a significant dose-effect relationship in which the lower dose of ethanol tended to reduce ischemic core water content, and the larger dose increased ischemic core water, compared with the control. None of the overnight fasted groups had any significant hyperglycemia. The group given 3 g/kg i.p. ethanol 1 hr before had exacerbated edema formation with a mean whole blood level of ethanol of approximately 230 mg/dl. The neurotoxic effects of high concentrations of ethanol were unrelated to any change in plasma glucose concentrations.

Roles of K+ and Cl- channels in cAMP-induced pulmonary vasodilation

Increase in intracellular adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is a common pathway for many clinically used drugs to cause pulmonary artery (PA) relaxation. Activity of sarcolemmal K+ and Cl(-)-channels is an important determinant of membrane potential (Em), which, in turn, plays a critical role in regulating pulmonary vascular tone. Whether K+ and Cl- channels were involved in cAMP-induced PA relaxation was tested using isolated rat PA rings. Raising extracellular K+ concentration from 20 to 142.7 mM increased the K(+)-evoked contraction, but significantly decreased the relaxation induced by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin (FSK, 2.5 microM), suggesting that FSK-induced PA relaxation depended on transmembrane K+ gradient. Indeed, the FSK-induced relaxation was inhibited by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 10 mM), a voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channel blocker. Neither the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel blocker, charybdotoxin, nor the ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, glibenclamide, had this effect. Furthermore, reducing extracellular Cl- concentration from 142.7 to 50 mM significantly decreased the FSK-induced relaxation in PA rings precontracted with 142.7 mM K+ (Ek approximately 0 mV), but negligibly affected the evoked contraction. This indicates that transmembrane Cl- gradient also regulates FSK-induced PA relaxation. Indeed, the Cl- channel blocker, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB, 10 microM), significantly inhibited the FSK-induced relaxation in PA rings preconstricted by 142.7 mM K+. In summary, the data suggest that the cAMP-induced PA relaxation is attributable, at least partly, to both activation of the 4-AP-sensitive Kv channels and stimulation of the NPPB-sensitive Cl- channels.

Localization of dopamine1A receptor mRNA in different vascular beds in rat: a nonradioactive in situ hybridization study

In situ hybridization of a biotin-labeled specific dopamine1A (D1A) receptor gene oligonucleotide probe combined with computer-assisted image analyzer was used to directly visualize D1A receptor mRNA and quantify the relative mRNA levels in sections of rat aorta and pulmonary and caudal arteries. Positive D1A receptor mRNA signals were found in rat aorta and pulmonary arteries, while no specific signals could be detected in the caudal artery. D1A receptor mRNA was located mainly within the medial layer of aorta, with intimal distribution in the pulmonary artery. The density of D1A receptor mRNA in different vascular beds demonstrated heterogeneity. D1A receptor mRNA levels in the aorta were much higher than those in the pulmonary artery (p < 0.01). These results demonstrate the existence of D1A receptor mRNA in both aorta and pulmonary beds, although with different distribution and density. The results further support the heterogeneity of the D1A receptor in different vascular beds.

Aneurysm clips: magnetic quantification and magnetic resonance imaging safety. Technical note

Knowledge of the magnetic properties of cerebral aneurysm clips in patients undergoing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is imperative. The authors quantified in electromagnetic units the magnetic properties of 13 different types of aneurysm clips by using a vibrating sample magnetometer. Their results showed that the magnetic moment of these clips ranged from 0.15 EMU/g to as high as 152.7 EMU/g. Based on these results and tests of the movement of the clips during MR imaging, they conclude that aneurysm clips with a magnetic moment less than 1 EMU/g may be safely used during MR imaging. The quantification of magnetic properties into electromagnetic units by using a vibrating sample magnetometer is a reliable method applicable to any testing field gradient. This method can be used as a standard to measure and label the magnetic properties of aneurysm clips.

Acute ethanol effects on focal cerebral ischemia in nonfasted rats

Focal cerebral ischemia was induced in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Three groups of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, given food and water ad libitum, were subjected to 4 hr of middle cerebral artery occlusion. All were given vehicle control and ethanol pretreatments intraperitoneally 1 hr before. Mean ipsilateral brain water content in the control, 2 g/kg ethanol, and 2 g/kg ethanol + insulin-treated groups showed: ischemia core: 81.1%, 82.5%, and 80.9%; intermediate zone: 81.0%, and 80.3%; and outer zone: 80.3%, 81.3%, and 80.1%, respectively. Brain Na+ and K4 content in these groups paralleled the water content. In addition to significantly (p < 0.05) more brain edema, the 2 g/kg ethanol-treated animal group also had significant hyperglycemia. In contrast, the 2 g/kg ethanol + insulin-treated animals were normoglycemic and had ischemic, intermediate, and outer zone Na+, K+, and Cl- levels comparable with the control group (p > 0.05). These results stress the importance of measuring and controlling plasma glucose levels in the in vivo studies of the neurotoxic effects of acute ethanol.

Overexpression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in the mouse brain reduces ischemic brain injury

It has been reported that middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats causes overexpression of interleukin-1, and that administration of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-1ra) reduces ischemic brain injury. The aim of the present study is to determine whether a recombinant adenovirus vector carrying human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist cDNA (Ad.RSVIL-1ra) could be used to overexpress IL-1ra in mouse brain and to evaluate its effect on brain edema formation and infarction after permanent focal ischemia in mice. Ad.RSVIL-1ra, control adenovirus containing the lacZ gene (Ad.RSVlacZ), or saline was injected into the right cerebral ventricle in mice. Brain IL-1ra concentrations were measured 1 to 13 days later. On the fifth day after virus injection, the middle cerebral artery was occluded for 24 h. Brain water content was determined and a histological technique was used to measure the infarction size. Overexpression of human IL-1ra protein in whole brain was confirmed by immunoassay in the Ad.RSVIL-1ra injected mice. It began on the first day, peaked at 5-7 days, and was sustained for 13 days. Brain edema and cerebral infarct volume were significantly reduced following 24 h of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice transfected with Ad.RSVIL-1ra compared to Ad.RSVlacZ or saline 5 days earlier. These studies demonstrate that adenoviral vectors can be used to deliver genes to small animals such as mice and also suggest the feasibility of gene therapy for stroke and other neurological diseases. Overexpression of human IL-1ra attenuated ischemic brain injury, suggesting that IL-1 may play an important role in cerebral ischemia.

Inhibition of K(V) and K(Ca) channels antagonizes NO-induced relaxation in pulmonary artery

Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) may contribute to the maintenance of normal pulmonary vasomotor tone, and inhaled NO is used to treat patients with pulmonary hypertension. Because pulmonary vascular tone is regulated by intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and membrane potential, which are controlled by the K+ channel activity in pulmonary artery (PA) smooth muscle cells, we sought to determine whether K+ channels are involved in NO-induced relaxation and, if so, which types of K+ channels are responsible. Authentic NO (approximately 0.3 microM) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10 pM) both produced significant relaxation in isolated PA rings precontracted by increasing extracellular K+ concentration. Further elevation of the K+ concentration from 20 to 60 mM resulted in a significant increase in contraction but caused a marked decline in SNP- and NO-mediated PA relaxation. The dependence of SNP- and NO-induced relaxation on transmembrane K+ gradient suggests that K+ efflux through K+ channels is involved in these effects. Furthermore, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 5-10 mM), which blocks voltage-gated K+ channels (K(V)), and charybdotoxin (200 nM), which blocks Ca2+-activated K+ channels (K(Ca)), both significantly inhibited NO- and SNP-induced PA relaxation. The ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker glibenclamide, however, had no effect on the relaxation response. The blocking of guanylate cyclase diminished, but did not abolish, the NO-induced relaxation, whereas 4-AP further decreased the NO-induced relaxant response in the presence of the guanylate cyclase inhibitor LY-83583. These data suggest that activation of both K(V) channels and K(Ca) channels by guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent and -independent pathways is a mechanism, at least in part, by which NO induces PA relaxation.

Inhibition of transplant coronary arteriosclerosis in rabbits by chronic estradiol treatment is associated with abolition of MHC class II antigen expression

BACKGROUND

Accelerated coronary arteriosclerosis is a major complication in long-term survivors of cardiac transplantation. Estrogen prevents transplant arteriosclerosis in experimental cardiac and aortic allografts and may act by an immune mechanism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

New Zealand White rabbits immunosuppressed with cyclosporine were recipients of cardiac allografts from Dutch Belted rabbits. The recipients received either estradiol or placebo daily until they were killed 6 weeks later. Histological cross sections of the cardiac allograft were used for quantification of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen expression, T lymphocytes, and macrophages by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies. MHC class II antigen expression was not detectable in allograft coronary arteries from any of the estradiol-treated recipients, whereas this antigen expression was present in the allograft coronary arteries from all the placebo-treated recipients. Macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration of the allograft coronary artery myointima was significantly less frequent in the estradiol-treated group. Rejection was moderate but slightly less in the estradiol-treated group. These findings were associated with a 60% decrease in allograft coronary artery myointimal thickening (determined by morphometry) in the estradiol-treated compared with the placebo-treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

Estradiol treatment of cardiac allograft recipients abolishes MHC class II antigen expression in the coronary arteries and decreases macrophage infiltration in all three layers of the vessel wall, whereas T-lymphocyte infiltration is decreased only in the myointima. These findings are associated with estradiol inhibition of myointimal proliferation. Thus, estradiol treatment may have a beneficial effect on graft arteriosclerosis through immune mechanisms.

Magnetic field gradients in the MRI suite and their effects on aneurysm clips

We studied magnetic field intensity in the magnetic resonance imaging suite at our hospital and its possible effect on several different types of aneurysm clips, including one Heifetz 17-7 PH, six Heifetz Elgiloy, one Mayfield, six Perneczky, fifteen Sugita, one Sundt-Kees Variangle, four Variangle-McFadden and fifteen Yasargil clips. We carefully observed the clips for any translational or rotational movements along the path from the door towards the magnetic resonance imaging gantry. The magnetic field strength was 0.04 kiloGauss at the entrance of the room, with an acute increase of magnetic strength at 310 cm away from the entrance to the room, 90 cm to the entrance of the gantry. The magnetic strength continued to increase at a rate of 1.0-1.5 kiloGauss for every 20 cm up to the entrance to the gantry. No movement was observed in any of the clips at the entrance to the suite except for the Heifetz 17-7 PH clip, which showed small movement in the longitudinal plane of the clip. At the entrance to the gantry, the Heifetz 17-7 PH, Sundt-Kees Variangle, and Mayfield clips were aligned on the walls of the test container perpendicular to the magnetic bore. The, Heifetz Elgiloy, Perneczky, Sugita, Variangle-McFadden, and Yasargil clips showed no movement throughout the path of the stretcher or near the gantry.

Pulmonary vasoconstrictor effects of prostacyclin in rats: potential role of thromboxane receptors

Endogenous prostacyclin (PGI2; epoprostenol) is a potent endothelium-derived pulmonary vasodilator. However, the effects of exogenous PGI2 on isolated arteries could be either relaxant or contractile, depending on the species and organ studied. The present study investigated the distal pathways involved in the PGI2-induced contraction in rat intrapulmonary artery (PA) and relaxation in lamb PA. When vessels were precontracted with 30 mM K+, PGI2 (1 microM) induced relaxation in lamb PA but caused contraction in rat PA. Use of 30 mM K+, phenylephrine, serotonin, angiotensin II, or hypoxia to precontract the vessels did not alter the contractile effect of PGI2 in rat PA. Nevertheless, PGI2 produced a mild relaxation in rat PA precontracted by U-46619, a thromboxane A2 (TxA2)-receptor agonist, whereas the TxA2-receptor blocker SQ-29548 (0.1-0.5 microM) abolished the contractile response in rat PA. These data suggest that PGI2-induced contraction is mediated by activation of TxA2 receptors. The PGI2-induced modest relaxation in rat PA, which was only observed when TxA2 receptors were blocked by SQ-29548, suggests that the PGI2-mediated vasorelaxant pathway is diminished in these vessels. Simultaneous application of forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, and rolipram, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, caused similar relaxation in both rat and lamb PA. This suggests that the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent relaxing pathway is intact in rat PA and is comparable to that in lamb PA. On the basis of these data, we conclude that the pathways responsible for the paradoxical effects of PGI2 on rat and lamb PA are located upstream of the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent relaxing pathway and that a paucity of PGI2 receptors in rat PA may be responsible.

Zinc protoporphyrin, zinc ion, and protoporphyrin reduce focal cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Zinc protoporphyrin pretreatment protects against temporary focal ischemic brain injury in rats. However, it is not known whether the zinc or the protoporphyrin portion of zinc protoporphyrin has effects on focal cerebral ischemia. Hence, all three agents were compared with regard to infarct size and edema in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion.

METHODS

Four groups of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 2 hours of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 22 hours of reperfusion. Each group was pretreated 30 minutes before middle cerebral artery occlusion with 0.9% NaCl, and then three groups were given equimolar doses of zinc protoporphyrin, zinc chloride, or protoporphyrin, respectively. Regional cerebral blood flow in the ischemic cortex was monitored with a laser Doppler flowmeter. Cerebral infarct size, brain water content, and ion content were measured 24 hours after the onset of occlusion.

RESULTS

Regional cerebral blood flow during middle cerebral artery occlusion was approximately 9.2% to 13% of baseline in all four groups. Brain water content in the infarcted zone after temporary focal ischemia in control, zinc protoporphyrin, zinc chloride, and protoporphyrin groups was 85.7%, 80.6%, 85.6%, and 81.4%, respectively. Brain sodium content in the same areas in all four groups paralleled the water content. Infarct size in the controls and groups treated with zinc protoporphyrin, zinc, and protoporphyrin was 25.6%, 7.2%, 7.6%, and 7.2%, respectively. Compared with the control group, the infarct volume in all three treated groups was significantly reduced (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present results indicate that zinc protoporphyrin, but also zinc and protoporphyrin, contribute to brain-protective effects when administered early in a temporary focal ischemia model. Zinc chloride reduced infarct size but not edema formation when compared with zinc protoporphyrin and protoporphyrin. Zinc ion in vivo has brain-protective effects, confirming in vitro studies previously reported by some but contrary to reports of others. Blood versus brain neuropil and cell body concentrations of zinc ion need to be studied in the future to define the precise role of zinc in the complex mechanisms involved in brain ischemia.

Wavelet filter: pure-intensity spatial filters that implement wavelet transforms

Saloma [Opt. Lett. 20, 1943 (1995)] proposed the concept of mirrors with point-spread functions that exhibit wavelet-related characteristics. We propose novel filters with wavelet point-spread functions. The mirrors are suggested to reform not only the phases of optical waves, but also the filters for amplitude. The transmittance functions of the filters, which are real and positive under some conditions, are given. Optical wavelet transforms can easily be made with these filters, and computer simulations for edge and corner extractions are given.

Effects of gibberellins on seed germination of phytochrome-deficient mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana

Experiments were carried out to explore the involvement of gibberellins (GAs) in the light-induced germination of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh, using wild type (WT) and phytochrome-deficient mutants (phyA, phyB and phyAphyB deficient in phytochrome A, B and A plus B, respectively). Seed germination of WT and phytochrome-deficient mutants was inhibited by uniconazole (an inhibitor of an early step in biosynthesis of GA, the oxidation of ent-kaurene) and prohexadione (an inhibitor of late steps, namely, 2 beta- and 3 beta-hydroxylation). This inhibition was overcome by simultaneous application of 10(-5) M GA4. The relative activity of GAs for promoting germination of uniconazole-treated seeds was GA4 > GA1 = GA9 > GA20. The wild type and the phyA and phyB mutants had an increased response to a red light pulse in the presence of GA1, GA4, GA9, GA20 and GA24 but there were no significant differences in activity of each GA between the mutants. Therefore, neither phytochrome A nor hytochrome B appears to regulate GA biosynthesis from GA12 to GA4 during seed germination, since the conversion of GA12 to GA9 is regulated by one enzyme (GA 20-oxidase). However, GA responsiveness appears to be regulated by phytochromes other than phytochromes A and B, since the phyAphyB double mutant retains the photoreversible increased response to GAs after a red light pulse.