Liquid crystal director dynamics imaged using two-photon fluorescence microscopy with remote focusing

We introduce a novel imaging technique adopting remote focusing for resolving the axial dynamics in the director field for liquid crystals. The high axial time resolution of our approach is demonstrated by imaging directly the evolution of the director field for an initially splayed nematic layer subject to a sudden voltage pulse. Images of the switching dynamics are presented, revealing transient state director configurations and changes in topology of the liquid crystal layer.

Arterial pressures in a general practice

Systolic and diastolic readings of blood pressure were recorded for 5386 (2585 males and 2801 females) members of a general practice situated in and around Ballycastle, County Antrim. Polynomials to predict blood pressure from age were derived for systolic and diastolic pressures of males and females. Polynomials to predict blood pressure variance from age were derived for both systolic and diastolic pressure of each sex. Age-sex adjusted diastolic and systolic scores were calculated for each of the 5386 members of the practice using a technique similar to that reported by Hamilton et al. (1954 a, b).Parent-child correlations ranging from -0.21 to 0.17 were observed; however, when all sibships were considered together irrespective of size coefficients which were significantly greater than zero generally involved the mother of the child. No sib-sib correlation (all sibship sizes combined), except those involving twins exceeded the value 0.13. Husband-wife correlations were similar to the corresponding parent-offspring correlations when both husband and wife were aged 45 years or more. Generally speaking, the coefficients found in this study were lower than those of other workers and reasons are discussed why the estimates of the present paper may not be unbiased.

Differential survival after prostate cancer by race: Role of NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers

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Background: A significant gap exists between Caucasians and African-Americans (AAs) in prostate cancer mortality, possibly due to sociodemographics, disease biology, or treatment. Furthermore, differential access to care at NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers (NCICCCs) conceivably contributes to this difference. Methods: Using data from the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program, we studied the underlying causes of differences in mortality in 18,790 men (AAs: 4,211; Caucasians: 14,579) diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1998 and 2003, and followed until 2006. Three NCICCCs serve this area: USC-Norris, UCLA-Jonsson, and City of Hope. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 67.5 yrs; AAs were significantly more likely to have lower SES; carry no insurance; have distant disease; and be managed with “watchful waiting.” The overall and prostate-specific survival was significantly superior for patients treated at NCICCCs, and for Caucasians (Table). Multivariate analysis, after adjustment for sociodemographics, race, insurance, tumor-related factors, and treatment-modality, revealed that treatment at NCICCCs was associated with lower overall (HR=0.74, 95% CI=0.6–0.9) and prostate-specific mortality (HR=0.69, 95% CI=0.5–0.97). AAs were less likely to utilize NCICCCs (OR=0.42, 95%CI=0.4–0.5). Finally, adjustment for sociodemographic, tumor/treatment-related factors, and treatment site abrogated the racial difference in overall (HR=1.08, 95%CI=0.99–1.2) and prostate-specific (HR=1.11, 95%CI=0.9–1.3) mortality. Conclusions: Patients treated at NCICCCs have lower mortality compared with other facilities. AAs are less likely to utilize NCICCCs for prostate cancer. AAs and Caucasians have comparable overall and prostate-specific survival, after adjustment for sociodemographic, tumor/treatment-related factors, and treatment site. Future studies are needed to understand barriers and facilitators to utilization of NCICCCs for management of prostate cancer.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Favorable glycemic response of type 2 diabetics to low-calorie cranberry juice

Fruit and vegetable intake is typically low for type 2 diabetics, possibly due to a perceived adverse effect on glycemic control. Cranberry juice (CBJ) may represent an attractive means for increasing fruit intake and simultaneously affording positive health benefits. This single cross-over design compared metabolic responses of type 2 diabetics (n= 12) to unsweetened low-calorie CBJ (LCCBJ; 19 Cal/240 mL), carbohydrate sweetened normal calorie CBJ (NCCBJ; 120 Cal/240 mL), isocaloric low-calorie sugar water control (LCC), and isocaloric normal calorie sugar water control (NCC) interventions. CBJ flavonols and anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins were quantified with HPLC, LC-MS, and MALDI-TOF that includes an original characterization of several large oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Blood glucose peaked 30 min postingestion after NCCBJ and NCC at 13.3 +/- 0.5 and 12.8 +/- 0.9 (mmol/L), and these responses were significantly greater than the LCCBJ and LCC peaks of 8.1 +/- 0.5 and 8.7 +/- 0.5, respectively. Differences in glycemic response remained significant 60 min, but not 120 min postingestion. Plasma insulin values 60 min postingestion for NCCBJ and NCC interventions were 140 +/- 19 and 151 +/- 18 (pmol/L), respectively, and significantly greater than the LCCBJ and LCC values of 56 +/- 10 and 54 +/- 10; differences were not significant 120 min postingestion. Metabolic responses within the 2 high and 2 low-calorie beverages were virtually identical; however, exposure to potentially beneficial nutrients was greater with CBJ. Relative to conventionally sweetened preparation, LCCBJ provides a favorable metabolic response and should be useful for promoting increased fruit consumption among type 2 diabetics or others wishing to limit carbohydrate intake.

Objective assessment of surgical competency--ENT trainees

The objective assessment of the progression of surgical competence throughout the career of a trainee surgeon is complicated. An operative competence assessment form was introduced into the RITA process for ENT trainees in 2004 in the Eastern Deanery. Analysis of the data has shown that there is a clear improvement in their surgical ability with 'minor' procedures being mastered much earlier in their career than 'major' procedures. The value of such an assessment tool is that it has the potential to identify the trainee that has poor surgical ability early and it also provides evidence that senior trainees at the end of their training are surgically competent to meet the demands of a consultant post.

The activin receptor-like kinase 6 Booroola mutation enhances suppressive effects of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), BMP4, BMP6 and growth and differentiation factor-9 on FSH release from ovine primary pituitary cell cultures

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been shown to influence the regulation of FSH synthesis and secretion at the level of the pituitary. Primary pituitary cells were harvested and cultured from Booroola ewes homozygous for a mutation in activin receptor-like kinase 6 (ALK6) also known as BMP receptor IB (BMPRIB), and from wild-type (WT) ewes to determine if the mutation caused alterations in FSH secretion in vitro. The cells were collected 24 h following induction of luteolysis and cultured for 72 h prior to being challenged for 24 h with BMP2, BMP4, BMP6, growth and differentiation factor-9 (GDF9), transforming growth factor-beta 1, activin-A and GnRH. The levels of FSH and LH were measured by RIA and then compared with the untreated controls. Primary pituitary cell cultures from Booroola ewes secreted less FSH than WT cells in the presence of BMP2, BMP4 and BMP6. These BMPs did not affect the FSH stores within the cells, or the levels of LH released. GDF9 appeared to act in a BMP-like manner by suppressing FSH secretion. The ALK6 receptor however, was not found to co-localise with gonadotroph cells in either Booroola or WT pituitary tissues. These findings imply that the increased sensitivity of Booroola cells to BMP2, BMP4, BMP6 and GDF9 cannot be due to the direct action of the ALK6 mutant Booroola receptor in the cells that synthesise FSH.

Support for mothers, fathers and families after perinatal death

BACKGROUND

Provision of an empathetic caring environment, and strategies to enable the mother, father and family to accept the reality of perinatal death, are now an accepted part of standard nursing and social support in most of the developed world. Provision of interventions such as psychological support or counselling, or both, has been suggested to improve outcomes for families after a perinatal death.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of the provision of any form of medical, nursing, social or psychological support or counselling, or both, to mother, father and families after perinatal death.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 October 2007) and reference lists of articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials of any form of general support aimed at encouraging acceptance of loss, specific bereavement counselling, or specialised psychological support/counselling including psychotherapy for mother, father and families experiencing perinatal death.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed eligibility of trials; a third person subsequently assessed the quality of the identified trials as a part of this review update.

MAIN RESULTS

No trials were included.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is currently insufficient information available from randomised trials to indicate whether there is or is not a benefit from interventions which aim to provide psychological support or counselling for mothers, fathers or families after perinatal death. Methodologically rigorous trials are needed.

Increased bioavailability of a transdermal application of a nano-sized emulsion preparation

The aim of this study was to compare the transdermal application of a nano-sized emulsion versus a micron-sized emulsion preparation of delta tocopherol as it relates to particle size and bioavailability. Two separate experiments were performed using seven F1B Syrian Golden hamsters, 1 week apart. Each emulsion preparation consisted of canola oil, polysorbate 80, deionized water and delta tocopherol; the only difference between the two preparations was processing the nano-sized emulsion with the Microfluidizer Processor. Both were formulated into a cream and applied to the shaven dorsal area. The particle size of the micron-sized emulsion preparation was 2788 nm compared to 65 nm for the nano-sized emulsion formulation. Two hours post-application, hamsters that were applied the nano-sized emulsion had a 36-fold significant increase of plasma delta tocopherol, where as hamsters that were applied the micron-sized emulsion only had a 9-fold significant increase, compared to baseline, respectively. At 3h post-application, plasma delta tocopherol had significantly increased 68-fold for hamsters applied the nano-sized emulsion, whereas only an 11-fold significant increase was observed in hamsters applied the micron-sized emulsion, compared to baseline, respectively. Significant differences were also observed between the nano-sized and micron-sized emulsion at 2 and 3h post-application. This study suggests that nano-sized emulsions significantly increase the bioavailability of transdermally applied delta tocopherol.

Specimen-induced distortions in light microscopy

Specimen-induced aberrations affect the imaging properties in optical 3D microscopy, especially when high numerical aperture lenses are used. Studies on aberrations are often properly concerned with the degradation of image quality such as compromised resolution or reduced signal intensity. Apart from these, aberration effects can also introduce geometric image distortions. The effects, discussed here are particularly strong when thick biological specimens are investigated. Using a high numerical aperture interferometer, we measured wavefront aberrations in transmission mode and quantified geometric distortions associated with specimen-induced aberrations. This assessment for a range of biological specimens allows estimation of the accuracy of spatial measurements. The results show that high-resolution spatial measurements can be significantly compromised by specimen-induced aberrations.