Role of TLR4 in the induction of inflammatory changes in adipocytes and macrophages

In obesity, high levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) contribute to adipose tissue inflammation and dysfunction. Obesity-induced macrophage infiltration leads to insulin resistance, but the adipocyte itself may play a role in generating the inflammatory milieu. Given our recent findings of the role of TLR4 in myeloid biasing in obesity, we next investigated the role of TLR4 in adipocyte generated inflammatory responses to SFAs and lipopolysaccharides. We used WT and Tlr4^-/- ear mesenchymal stem cell derived adipocytes (EMSC Ad) and bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs) to evaluate cell specific responses. Our work demonstrates a role for TLR4 in adipocyte- immune cell crosstalk and that SFA derived metabolites from adipocytes may induce proinflammatory stimulation of immune cells in a TLR4 independent manner.

Programming effects of maternal and gestational obesity on offspring metabolism and metabolic inflammation

With the increasing prevalence of obesity in women of reproductive age there is a need to understand the ramifications of this on offspring. The purpose of this study is to investigate the programming effects of maternal obesity during preconception and the preconception/gestational period on adiposity and adipose tissue inflammation in offspring using an animal model. Adult female C57Bl/6J mice were assigned either normal diet, high fat diet (HFD) prior to pregnancy, or HFD prior to and through pregnancy. Some offspring were maintained on normal diet while others started HFD later in life. Offspring were assessed for body composition and metabolic responses. Lipid storing tissues were evaluated for expansion and inflammation. Male offspring from the preconception group had the greatest weight gain, most subcutaneous adipose tissue, and largest liver mass when introduced to postnatal HFD. Male offspring of the preconception/gestation group had worsened glucose tolerance and an increase in resident (CD11c⁻) adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) when exposed to postnatal HFD. Female offspring had no significant difference in any parameter between the diet treatment groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that prenatal and pregnancy windows have independent programming effects on offspring. Preconception exposure affects body composition and adiposity while gestation exposure affects metabolism and tissue immune cell phenotypes.

Evaluation of Leponex (Clozapine) in Schizophrenia with Acute Symptomatology

Thirty-three in-patients, diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia with acute symptomatology, were involved in a double-blind cross-over trial comparing Leponex (clozapine) with placebo. Leponex was found to be effective, particularly in the control of paranoid manifestations and excited and aggressive behaviour, with rapid onset of action. The drug should however be used with some caution at this stage because of its hypotensive effects, which led to collapse in 13% of cases in the initial stages of treatment. This side-effect could be avoided by starting on low dosage.

Sexually dimorphic myeloid inflammatory and metabolic responses to diet-induced obesity

It is well known in clinical and animal studies that women and men have different disease risk as well as different disease physiology. Women of reproductive age are protected from metabolic and cardiovascular disease compared with postmenopausal women and men. Most murine studies are skewed toward the use of male mice to study obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction because of similar protection in female mice. We have investigated dietary obesity in a mouse model and have directly compared inflammatory responses in males and females. In this review we will summarize what is known about sex differences in diet-induced inflammation and will summarize our data on this topic. It is clear that sex differences in high-fat diet-induced inflammatory activation are due to cell intrinsic differences in hematopoietic responses to obesogenic cues, but further research is needed to understand what leads to sexually dimorphic responses.

Nanoscale heat engine beyond the Carnot limit

We consider a quantum Otto cycle for a time-dependent harmonic oscillator coupled to a squeezed thermal reservoir. We show that the efficiency at maximum power increases with the degree of squeezing, surpassing the standard Carnot limit and approaching unity exponentially for large squeezing parameters. We further propose an experimental scheme to implement such a model system by using a single trapped ion in a linear Paul trap with special geometry. Our analytical investigations are supported by Monte Carlo simulations that demonstrate the feasibility of our proposal. For realistic trap parameters, an increase of the efficiency at maximum power of up to a factor of 4 is reached, largely exceeding the Carnot bound.

Single-ion heat engine at maximum power

We propose an experimental scheme to realize a nanoheat engine with a single ion. An Otto cycle may be implemented by confining the ion in a linear Paul trap with tapered geometry and coupling it to engineered laser reservoirs. The quantum efficiency at maximum power is analytically determined in various regimes. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulations of the engine are performed that demonstrate its feasibility and its ability to operate at a maximum efficiency of 30% under realistic conditions.

Controlling fast transport of cold trapped ions

We realize fast transport of ions in a segmented microstructured Paul trap. The ion is shuttled over a distance of more than 10(4) times its ground state wave function size during only five motional cycles of the trap (280 μm in 3.6 μs). Starting from a ground-state-cooled ion, we find an optimized transport such that the energy increase is as low as 0.10±0.01 motional quanta. In addition, we demonstrate that quantum information stored in a spin-motion entangled state is preserved throughout the transport. Shuttling operations are concatenated, as a proof-of-principle for the shuttling-based architecture to scalable ion trap quantum computing.

Double-transfected MDCK cells expressing human OCT1/MATE1 or OCT2/MATE1: determinants of uptake and transcellular translocation of organic cations

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The organic cation transporters 1 (OCT1) and 2 (OCT2) mediate drug uptake into hepatocytes and renal proximal tubular cells, respectively. Multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1 (MATE1) is a major component of subsequent export into bile and urine. However, the functional interaction of OCTs and MATE1 for uptake and transcellular transport of the oral antidiabetic drug metformin or of the cation 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) has not fully been characterized.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Single-transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells as well as double-transfected MDCK-OCT1-MATE1 and -OCT2-MATE1 cells were used to study metformin and MPP(+) uptake into and transcellular transport across cell monolayers, along with their concentration and pH dependence.

KEY RESULTS

Cellular accumulation of MPP(+) and metformin was significantly reduced by 31% and 46% in MDCK-MATE1 single-transfected cells compared with MDCK control cells (10 µM; P < 0.01). Over a wide concentration range (10-2500 µM) metformin transcellular transport from the basal into the apical compartment was significantly higher in the double-transfected cells compared with the MDCK control and MDCK-MATE1 monolayers. This process was not saturated up to metformin concentrations of 2500 µM. In MDCK-OCT2-MATE1 cells basal to apical MPP(+) and metformin transcellular translocation decreased with increasing pH from 6.0 to 7.5.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our data demonstrate functional interplay between OCT1/OCT2-mediated uptake and efflux by MATE1. Moreover, MATE1 function in human kidney might be modified by changes in luminal pH values.

Observing the phase space trajectory of an entangled matter wave packet

We observe the phase space trajectory of an entangled wave packet of a trapped ion with high precision. The application of a spin-dependent light force on a superposition of spin states allows for coherent splitting of the matter wave packet such that two distinct components in phase space emerge. We observe such motion with a precision of better than 9% of the wave packet extension in both momentum and position, corresponding to a 0.8 nm position resolution. We accurately study the effect of the initial ion temperature on the quantum entanglement dynamics. Furthermore, we map out the phonon distributions throughout the action of the displacement force. Our investigation shows corrections to simplified models of the system evolution. The precise knowledge of these dynamics may improve quantum gates for ion crystals and lead to entangled matter wave states with large displacements.

Elevated testosterone and hypergonadotropism in active adolescents of normal weight with oligomenorrhea

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Oligomenorrhea in active adolescent females of normal weight is presumed to be related to hypoestrogenism secondary to physical activity and decreased fat mass. We hypothesized that active adolescents with oligomenorrhea would have lower estrogen levels than normal controls with similar levels of cardiovascular fitness.

DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS

Twenty healthy participants between the ages of 16 and 20 years were recruited at least 2 years postmenarche. Adolescents reporting fewer than 9 cycles a year (n = 6) were compared to 14 controls with monthly menstrual cycles. Histories of eating disorder, hirsutism, severe acne, depression, or amenorrhea were cause for exclusion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Body composition and bone density were measured by total body dual x-ray absorpitometry. Cardiovascular fitness was evaluated by measuring oxygen consumption during exercise. Control subjects were matched by age, body mass index (BMI), and fitness level. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol were obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.1.

RESULTS

Cardiovascular fitness in both groups was within normal limits for age. No significant differences in BMI, estradiol concentrations, or bone density were found, but trunk fat mass was lower in adolescents with oligomenorrhea who also reported more frequent exercise. Testosterone concentrations and LH/FSH ratios were significantly higher in participants with irregular menstrual cycles (P = 0.0018 and <0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Adolescents with oligomenorrhea were leaner, yet they had higher testosterone levels and a greater LH/FSH ratio than their BMI-matched, cyclic counterparts. We hypothesize that, in active adolescents of normal weight, elevated androgen and LH concentrations are linked to ovarian dysfunction, which can masquerade as exercise-induced oligomenorrhea.

Deterministic ultracold ion source targeting the Heisenberg limit

The major challenges to fabricate quantum processors and future nano-solid-state devices are material modification techniques with nanometer resolution and suppression of statistical fluctuations of dopants or qubit carriers. Based on a segmented ion trap with mK laser-cooled ions we have realized a deterministic single-ion source which could operate with a huge range of sympathetically cooled ion species, isotopes or ionic molecules. We have deterministically extracted a predetermined number of ions on demand and have measured a longitudinal velocity uncertainty of 6.3 m/s and a spatial beam divergence of 600 microrad. We show in numerical simulations that if the ions are cooled to the motional ground state (Heisenberg limit) nanometer spatial resolution can be achieved.

Vitamin D receptor amounts across different segments of the gastrointestinal tract in Brown Swiss and Holstein Frisean cows of different age

During different stages of lactation, different requirements of calcium have to be met depending on the milk amount. Vitamin D receptors (VDR) regulate calcium homeostasis by increasing the entry of Ca into blood from bone stores and dietary sources. The purpose of this study was to investigate if age and breed of cows influence VDR amounts across different segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Thirty-six cows were used (18 Brown Swiss, 18 Holstein Friesan, both > 5.5 years or < 4.5 years). Tissue specimens of the intestines were collected from the cows. Formaldehyde-fixed and microwave-treated paraffin sections were used for VDR immunohistochemistry employing a biotinylated monoclonal rat antibody and streptavidin peroxidase technique. The results showed that nuclei and cytoplasm of enterocytes stained positively for VDRs. Strongest immunoreactions were observed in intermediate and basal glandular cells. No significant differences were observed between the different groups. Vitamin D receptors immunoreactivities were prominent in duodenal mucosa, lower in jejunum and in colon, decreased further in ileum and were lowest in caecum. Decreases in number of positively marked cells and staining intensities resulted in reduced immunoreactions. The results of this study indicate that VDR are highly expressed at the site of maximal intestinal calcium absorption. No significant influence of age and breed was observed. The animals used were not in a negative Ca balance. The cows were all in the stage of late or mid lactation. During these periods, the Ca requirements are low and the diets are high in Ca concentration; and the animals are adapted to these circumstances. Passive absorption in adult animals seems to dominate when Ca intake is adequate or high. The active absorption may play a considerably more significant role during the peripartal period, when Ca homeostatic mechanisms are challenged because of tremendous Ca demand at the initiation of lactation.

Cardiovascular fitness and exercise as determinants of insulin resistance in postpubertal adolescent females

In obese adolescents, body mass index (BMI) is a poor predictor of insulin resistance, and the potential role of diminished physical activity has not been quantitated. We measured possible determinants of sensitivity to insulin in 53 adolescent females with a BMI between the 10th and the 95th percentile. We hypothesized that across weight and fitness spectra, relative fat mass, rather than BMI, and cardiovascular fitness would be predictors of insulin resistance. We measured body composition by total-body dual x-ray absorptiometry. Self-reported weekly frequency of aerobic exercise for 1 h (RDE) was recorded, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2)max) was measured. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA(IR)) derived from fasting glucose and insulin concentrations. BMI was not related to HOMA(IR) (P = 0.20), RDE showed a marginal relationship (P = 0.049), whereas percent body fat and VO(2)max were significantly related to HOMA(IR) (P = 0.01 and 0.0008, respectively). In a multiple regression model, VO(2)max was a more critical determinant of insulin resistance than percent body fat (P = 0.03 vs. P = 0.67) or RDE (P = 0.01 vs. 0.51). For prevention strategies in youth, physical inactivity may represent a greater metabolic risk than obesity alone.

Sympathetic cooling with two atomic species in an optical trap

We simultaneously trap ultracold lithium and cesium atoms in an optical dipole trap formed by the focus of a CO2 laser and study the exchange of thermal energy between the gases. The optically cooled cesium gas efficiently decreases the temperature of the lithium gas through sympathetic cooling. Equilibrium temperatures down to 25 microK have been reached. The measured cross section for thermalizing 133Cs-7Li collisions is 8 x 10(-12) cm(2), for both species unpolarized in their lowest hyperfine ground state. Besides thermalization, we observe evaporation of lithium purely through elastic cesium-lithium collisions (sympathetic evaporation).

Basal circadian cortisol secretion in women with temporomandibular disorders

Muscular temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common stress-related condition showing marked comorbidity with depression and fibromyalgia (FM), both of which are associated with dysregulation of cortisol secretion. We measured cortisol levels in 15 women with well-defined TMD and 15 matched controls by sampling blood at 10-minute intervals over 24 hours in a controlled environment. TMD patients showed markedly increased daytime cortisol levels 30% to 50% higher than those of controls (p = 0.0032) and a one-hour phase delay in the timing of maximum cortisol levels (p = 0.048). Increased activation of the stress hormone axis by conscious pain perception is a likely explanation, but the magnitude of the increase could indicate that pain in the facial region acts as a greater stimulus than pain elsewhere in the body.

Commissioning an image-guided localization system for radiotherapy

PURPOSE

To describe the design and commissioning of a system for the treatment of classes of tumors that require highly accurate target localization during a course of fractionated external-beam therapy. This system uses image-guided localization techniques in the linac vault to position patients being treated for cranial tumors using stereotactic radiotherapy, conformal radiotherapy, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy techniques. Design constraints included flexibility in the use of treatment-planning software, accuracy and precision of repeat localization, limits on the time and human resources needed to use the system, and ease of use.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A commercially marketed, stereotactic radiotherapy system, based on a system designed at the University of Florida, Gainesville, was adapted for use at the University of Washington Medical Center. A stereo pair of cameras in the linac vault were used to detect the position and orientation of an array of fiducial markers that are attached to a patient's biteblock. The system was modified to allow the use of either a treatment-planning system designed for stereotactic treatments, or a general, three-dimensional radiation therapy planning program. Measurements of the precision and accuracy of the target localization, dose delivery, and patient positioning were made using a number of different jigs and devices. Procedures were developed for the safe and accurate clinical use of the system.

RESULTS

The accuracy of the target localization is comparable to that of other treatment-planning systems. Gantry sag, which cannot be improved, was measured to be 1.7 mm, which had the effect of broadening the dose distribution, as confirmed by a comparison of measurement and calculation. The accuracy of positioning a target point in the radiation field was 1.0 +/- 0.2 mm. The calibration procedure using the room-based lasers had an accuracy of 0.76 mm, and using a floor-based radiosurgery system it was 0.73 mm. Target localization error in a phantom was 0.64 +/- 0.77 mm. Errors in positioning due to couch rotation error were reduced using the system.

CONCLUSION

The system described has proven to have acceptable accuracy and precision for the clinical goals for which it was designed. It is robust in detecting errors, and it requires only a nominal increase in setup time and effort. Future work will focus on evaluating its suitability for use in the treatment of head-and-neck cancers not contained within the cranial vault.

A comparison of radiographic measurements in normal, hallux valgus, and hallux limitus feet

This study investigated the differences in weightbearing, foot radiographs among normal subjects, those with hallux valgus, and those with hallux limitus. An intrarater reliability study of various x-ray measurements was conducted, utilizing seven dorsoplantar and six lateral measurements. The results showed that metatarsus primus adductus, increased metatarsal width, and a positive first metatarsal protrusion distance were associated with hallux valgus, whereas increased hallux interphalangeal angle was associated with hallux limitus.

Gauging a woman's health by her fertility signals: integrating western with traditional Chinese medical observations

This article presents observations of traditional Chinese medical and Western concepts of a woman's fertility signals. A woman of child-bearing age cycles through processes of heating and cooling and moistening and drying to make her fertile. Her fertility signals--basal body temperature, cervical fluid, and cervix changes--can be observed and charted to gauge the woman's gynecological health as well as to avoid or enhance her chances of achieving pregnancy. Introductory information about charting fertility signals, an introduction to traditional Chinese medicine theories, and various basal body temperature charts with analysis from traditional Chinese medicine and Western medical perspectives are included.

Comparison of the reliability of plantar pressure measurements using the two-step and midgait methods of data collection

The reliability of plantar pressure measurements obtained using the traditional midgait method compared with the two-step method was investigated. Using an EMED-SF system, the parameters of contact area, contact time, maximum force, and peak pressure at seven sites of the foot were assessed for reliability of measurement in 10 normal subjects. The results of the study indicate that the two-step method is as reliable as the midgait method and may be preferred for use in both research and clinical settings.

Wedge factor dependence with depth, field size, and nominal distance--a general computational rule

We have investigated the dependence of the wedge factors with field size, depth, nominal, and extended distances for 4, 6, 18, and 24 MV photon beams. Analysis of the experimental data suggests a general linear dependence of the wedge factors with field size and depth. The study shows that changes in wedge factors are insignificant (< or = +/-1.0%) with respect to measurements at nominal SSD, SAD, or extended SSD. This independence of the wedge factors on source-to-surface distance was studied for different photon energies (4-24 MV) and for different attenuating wedges (external and internal wedges). For clinical applications, an algorithm is presented to calculate the wedge factor dependence with field size and depth. The new algorithm has been successfully implemented to replace wedge look-up tables for dose and MU calculations in PRISM 1.2 treatment planning system used in our department.

[The evaluation of the coronary artery sufficiency in myocardial infarction patients after cardiac surgery and preventive therapy]

During 5 years period (1989-1993) the authors investigated a group of 40 patients with coronary artery disease after myocardial infarction treated in the Silesian Center of Cardiology in Katowice. 20 patients were operated on (CABG), 20 were medically-treated. It was evaluated the history, physical status, stress-test, echocardiography and 24-hours ECG. Stress test was estimated according to Mark's test. In the echocardiographic examination it was observed wall motion score index (WMSI) and the left ventricular abnormal contraction area (AA). In the operated group it was noticed higher physical ability and no influence of CABG on left ventricular contractability.

Screening for alcoholism among medical inpatients: how important is corroboration of patient self-report?

Little is known about the utility of collateral reports in substantiating self-report for individuals assessed in nonalcoholism treatment contexts. This study examined the concordance of 581 pairs of medical patient and collateral responses to a commonly used alcohol screening instrument, the CAGE Questions, as well as to reports of the patient's drinking consequences and alcohol consumption. Results demonstrated that patient/collateral concordance was marginal, but acceptable, on CAGE cut-off scores and, that similar to reports from alcoholism treatment settings, patients generally reported more drinking consequences than collaterals. Patient and collateral reports of the patient's alcohol consumption did not differ significantly. This pattern of patient and collateral reporting of alcohol consequences and consumption was found for both men and women, as well as for patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of alcohol dependence. The findings support the validity of patient self-report on alcoholism screening measures in medical settings. Furthermore, results demonstrated that the addition of collateral reports to information directly obtained from patients only modestly improved the identification of alcohol dependence. The overall findings indicate that alcohol screening can be done effectively and efficiently in medical settings.

Pregnancy and delivery prognostic risk score for women with congenital heart disease and acquired valvular heart disease

Hemodynamic changes related to pregnancy in women with Congenital Heart Disease (ConHD) or Acquired Valvular Heart Disease (AVHD) require special medical care during pregnancy and especially immediately prior to, and after delivery. Following a five year retrospective study (1978-1982), the authors monitored prospectively over a period of 12 years (1983-1994), 378 pregnancies in 252 women with ConHD and AVHD. Based on the results of the initial clinical examination and monthly follow-up visits, a numerical risk score was assigned for each patient. The study showed good conformity between the predictive risk score values and the patient's condition in the course of pregnancy and delivery. Thus, this method represents a novel and potentially very useful clinical tool for management of pregnancy in patients with ConHD and AVHD.

Crash characteristics and injuries of victims impaired by alcohol versus illicit drugs

Alcohol has long been associated with injury, but the relationship between other drugs and injury is less clear. Blood samples from 894 patients presenting to two Emergency Departments for treatment of motor vehicle injury sustained in passenger cars, station wagons, vans and pickup trucks, were tested for alcohol and other drugs. Results were related to demographic characteristics, including prior history of alcohol and drug use; crash characteristics; and injury characteristics. Alcohol was associated with more severe crashes, but other drugs, in the absence of alcohol, were not. The crashes involving drugs but no alcohol were very similar to those involving neither alcohol nor drugs.

Prediction of thoracic and lumbar vertebral body compressive strength: correlations with bone mineral density and vertebral region

The bone density of thoracolumbar vertebral columns (T1 to L5) from 18 individuals was measured using quantitative computed tomography and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Three hundred six isolated vertebral bodies were tested in a materials test device to determine their compressive strength. Between T1 and L5 the mean segmental increase in bone mineral content was 0.3 g, while the corresponding mean decrease in trabecular density was 4.7 HU. Midvertebral body cross-sectional area increased by an average of 46 mm2 per segment and the mean segmental increase in compressive strength was 0.17 kN. Compressive strength was significantly correlated with bone mineral density measured with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (r = 0.86). Vertebral trabecular density samples measured with quantitative computed tomography were poorly correlated with compressive strength (r = 0.28); however, this was improved when the trabecular density was multiplied by the midvertebral body cross-sectional area (r = 0.83). This study provides information concerning the relationships between density and mechanical properties of all thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies across a wide age range. While the load-bearing capacity of the vertebral bodies is largely dependent on their geometry and bone density, this relationship has been only extensively tested for the lumbar spine. This study extends these observations over the lumbar and thoracic regions to provide a comprehensive analysis of the strength characteristics of each vertebral body. This is particularly important given the paucity of data on the thoracic spine where age-related vertebral fractures predominate. These data provide a basis for the development of models to predict the potential for thoracolumbar fractures in the elderly vertebral column.

[Effect of aorto-coronary bypass on function of cardiac ventricles as evaluated by non-invasive techniques during a two year observation]

In 1989-1990, 892 patients with ischemic heart disease were treated at the III Department of Cardiology in Katowice-Ochojec. Aortocoronary bypass was performed in 51 (5.7%) of these patients. Thirty five out of these patients were followed-up for 24 months after surgery. They reported to the hospital for evaluation after 3, 6, 12 and 14 months following a discharge. Efficiency of revascularization was checked with physical examination, and non-invasive tests such as electrocardiography, echocardiography and exercise tolerance testing. Diastolic and symbolic functioning of left and right ventricle was assessed separately. All patients suffered from anginal pain before surgery whereas 85% of operated patients were free from pain. No correlation between incomplete revascularization and recurrence of the anginal pain was noted. Surgery produced an increase in exercise tolerance and maximal load. No significant improvement in the right ventricle was seen during a 2-year follow-up. In the group of patients without previous myocardial infarction measured parameters of cardiac ventricles functioning were better than those in patients who had myocardial infarction. Therefore, the former are better candidates to coronary vessels revascularization.