Genome-wide association study identifies variants associated with semen volume in white-feathered broilers

Semen is a measure of the reproductive efficiency of roosters, which affects the economic benefits of white-feathered broilers. Over the years, research in this field has mainly focused on hens, while there have been fewer studies on the reproductive traits of roosters. To identify the genes related to the semen traits of roosters, we used a chicken 55 K SNP chip to genetically type the white-feathered population (220) and performed imputation with resequencing data from 97 roosters. In total, 1 048 576 SNPs were obtained and used for genome-wide association analysis of semen volume, from which 197 genome-wide significant markers were identified, all within the interval of 13.82-16.12 Mb on chromosome 7. By combining our results with the biological functions of genes in the interval, four candidate genes were identified that potentially relate to semen volume: FAPP1, OSBPL6, SESTD1 and SSFA2. Our findings may provide a basis for further research on the genetic mechanism and marker-assisted selection of semen volume in white-feathered broilers.

Behçet's disease-induced massive small intestinal bleeding successfully treated with adalimumab

We herein report a case of Behçet's disease in a 27-year-old female who suffered from generalized skin rashes for one week. After hospitalization, massive bloody stools accompanying hypovolemic shock occurred. Emergency abdominal computed tomography-angiography failed to detect the bleeding source. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy also demonstrated no definite bleeding points. Ileocolonoscopy showed multiple large and deep ulcers with some blood coating and mild oozing in the terminal ileum. We initially performed epinephrine injection and hemoclips for her intestinal bleeding. However, massive bloody stools still continued. Thus, we prescribed a loading dose of 160 mg adalimumab followed by weekly 80 mg adalimumab subcutaneous injections to the patient. Following this treatment, her gastrointestinal bleeding gradually subsided and completely stopped within a few days. After three-week therapy with adalimumab, capsule endoscopy showed several healing ulcers without bleeding in the distal to the terminal ileum. She continues to be treated with adalimumab, azathioprine, and mesalazine without recurrent bleeding.

Designing an anatomical contour titanium 3D-printed oblique lumbar interbody fusion cage with porous structure and embedded fixation screws for patients with osteoporosis

This study aimed to design an anatomical contour metal three-dimensional (3D)-printed oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) cage with porous (lattices) structure and embedded screw fixation to enhance bone ingrowth to reduce the risk of cage subsidence and avoid the stress-shielding effect. Finite element (FE) analysis and weight topology optimization (WTO) were used to optimize the structural design of the OLIF cage based on the anatomical contour morphology of patients with osteoporosis. Two oblique embedded fixation screws and lattice design with 65% porosity and average pore size of 750 μm were equipped with the cage structure. The cage was fabricated via metal 3D printing, and static/dynamic compression and compressive-shear tests were performed in accordance with the ASTM F2077-14 standard to evaluate its mechanical resistance. On FE analysis, the OLIF cage with embedded screw model had the most stability, lowest stress values on the endplate, and uniform stress distribution versus standalone cage and fixed with lateral plate under extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. The fatigue test showed that the stiffnesses/endurance limits (pass 5 million dynamic test) were 16,658 N/mm/6000 N for axial load and 19,643 N/mm/2700 N for compression shear. In conclusion, an OLIF cage with embedded fixation screws can be designed by integrating FE and WTO analysis based on the statistical results of endplate morphology. This improves the stability of the OLIF cage to decrease endplate destruction. The complex contour and lattice design of the OLIF cage need to be manufactured via metal 3D printing; the dynamic axial compression and compressive-shear strengths are greater than that of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standard.

Inhibition of nitric oxide production enhances the activity of facial nerve tubulin polymerization and the ability of tau to promote microtubule assembly after neurorrhaphy

We previously reported that inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production promotes rat reconnected facial nerve regeneration. However, the underlying mechanism is obscure. Microtubule assembly is known to be essential to axon regeneration; nevertheless, tubulins and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) have been demonstrated as targets for NO and peroxynitrite. Thus, we hypothesized that NO and/or peroxynitrite may affect facial nerve regeneration via influencing on microtubule assembly. First, tubulins and tau (a MAP) were extracted from facial nerves of normal rats, treated with NO donor or peroxynitrite, and processed for microtubule assembly assay. We found that peroxynitrite, DEA NONOate, and Angeli's salt reduced the tubulin polymerization activity to a greater extent than GSNO, SIN-1, and SNAP. Additionally, SIN-1, peroxynitrite, and Angeli's salt impaired the ability of tau to promote microtubule assembly. Next, nitrosative stress biomarkers 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and S-nitrosylated cysteine (SNO-Cys) were immunolabeled in facial nerves. Both biomarkers were highly upregulated in proximal and distal stumps of reconnected facial nerves at 3 days and 1 week after neurorrhaphy. Notably, the expression of 3-NT was greatly reduced at 2 weeks, whereas that of SNO-Cys was maintained. Conversely, inhibition of NO production with L-NAME prevented the upregulation of SNO-Cys. Further, we used tubulins and tau extracted from facial nerves of sham-operated, nerve suture + vehicle treatment, and nerve suture + L-NAME treatment rats to perform microtubule assembly assay. We found that L-NAME treatment enhanced polymerization activity of tubulins and ability of tau to promote microtubule assembly. It is noteworthy that α-tubulin plays a more important role than β-tubulin since the activity of microtubule assembly using α-tubulin extracted from L-NAME-treated rats was greatly elevated, whereas that using β-tubulin extracted from L-NAME-treated rats was not. Overall, our findings support that inhibition of NO production reduces nitrosative stress, and may thus facilitate microtubule assembly and facial nerve regeneration.

Removal of a compressive mass causes a transient disruption of blood-brain barrier but a long-term recovery of spiny stellate neurons in the rat somatosensory cortex

BACKGROUND

In the cranial cavity, a space-occupying mass such as epidural hematoma usually leads to compression of brain. Removal of a large compressive mass under the cranial vault is critical to the patients.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine whether and to what extent epidural decompression of the rat primary somatosensory cortex affects the underlying microvessels, spiny stellate neurons and their afferent fibers.

METHODS

Rats received epidural decompression with preceding 1-week compression by implantation of a bead. The thickness of cortex was measured using brain coronal sections. The permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) was assessed by Evans Blue and immunoglobulin G extravasation. The dendrites and dendritic spines of the spiny stellate neurons were revealed by Golgi-Cox staining and analyzed. In addition, the thalamocortical afferent (TCA) fibers in the cortex were illustrated using anterograde tracing and examined.

RESULTS

The cortex gradually regained its thickness over time and became comparable to the sham group at 3 days after decompression. Although the diameter of cortical microvessels were unaltered, a transient disruption of the BBB was observed at 6 hours and 1 day after decompression. Nevertheless, no brain edema was detected. In contrast, the dendrites and dendritic spines of the spiny stellate neurons and the TCA fibers were markedly restored from 2 weeks to 3 months after decompression.

CONCLUSIONS

Epidural decompression caused a breakdown of the BBB, which was early-occurring and short-lasting. In contrast, epidural decompression facilitated a late-onset and prolonged recovery of the spiny stellate neurons and their afferent fibers.

Characteristics of the accessory tendon of the extensor hallucis longus muscle: a Taiwanese study

PURPOSE

The main tendon of the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) muscle attaches to the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx of the great toe. One or multiple accessory tendons of the EHL have been reported in several ethnic/regional groups, except Taiwan. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, length, and insertion of the accessory tendon of the EHL in Taiwanese people.

METHODS

Anatomical dissection was performed on 48 feet of 24 formalin-embalmed cadavers. The occurrence and morphological characteristics of the accessory tendon of the EHL were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

The accessory tendon of the EHL was found in 97.92% (47/48) of the legs that were dissected. In one male cadaver, an independent muscle belly was identified in each leg, whereas all the other accessory tendons originated from the main tendon of the EHL. In this study, the insertion of the accessory tendon were classified into four patterns. The most common insertion sites were the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint capsule and proximal phalanx of the great toe. The length of the accessory tendons did not correlate with age or with sex when the two tendons with independent muscle belly were excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

The accessory tendon of the EHL appears to be a regular feature in Taiwanese people. Most accessory tendons of the EHL (85.7%) attached on the first MTP joint capsule may play a role in the prevention of capsular impingement during great toe extension.

Effect of benign prostatic hyperplasia on the development of spine, hip, and wrist fractures

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is one of the most common diseases in the elderly male population. The urinary tract symptoms may increase the risk of falls and fractures. The results indicated that patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia could increase the risk of vertebral compression fractures in both the thoracic and lumbar spine and also hip fractures, but did not increase the risk of wrist fracture.

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia and the development of fall-related fractures, especially vertebral compression fractures, has been seldom mentioned in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of developing vertebral compression fracture, hip fracture, and wrist fracture in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODS

This study obtained claims data retrospectively from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan and identified 48,114 patients who were diagnosed as having benign prostatic hyperplasia. Subjects of the control cohort were individually matched at a ratio of 4:1 with those in the benign prostatic hyperplasia cohort according to age and the index day. Comorbidities were classified as those existing before the index day and included a previous fracture history, osteoporosis, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, etc. The end of the follow-up period of the analyses was the day when the patient developed new vertebral compression fractures, hip fractures, or wrist fractures, terminated enrollment from the National Health Insurance, or died or until the end of 2012. The study used the Cox proportion hazard model to determine the hazard ratio for developing new hip fractures.

RESULTS

Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were significantly more likely than those in the control cohort to develop new vertebral compression fractures in the thoracic spine (0.43% vs. 0.40%, adjusted hazard ratio 3.03, confidence interval 2.12-4.31) and lumbar spine (1.26% vs. 1.23%, adjusted hazard ratio 4.12, confidence interval 3.39-5.01), and hip fracture (1.47% vs. 2.09%, adjusted hazard ratio 1.22, confidence interval 1.10-1.36), but does not increase the risk of wrist fracture (0.61% vs. 0.67%, adjusted hazard ratio 1.07, confidence interval 0.85-1.34).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia exhibited an increased risk of developing vertebral compression fractures in both the thoracic and lumbar spine and also hip fractures, but did not increase the risk of wrist fracture. However, more research is needed to confirm this trend in the clinical setting.

Prevalence of Asian fish tapeworm Bothriocephalus in grass carp in Dongting Lake of Hunan province, subtropical China

We investigated the prevalence of Asian fish tapeworm Bothriocephalus infection in grass carp in Dongting Lake of Hunan province, subtropical China between August 2014 and October of 2015. A total of 2534 fish samples from four representative administrative regions in Hunan province, subtropical China were examined for the presence of Bothriocephalus using helminthological approach. The overall prevalence of Bothriocephalus in grass carp was 6.6% (167/2534). The prevalence of Bothriocephalus in grass carp was higher in summer (10.0%) and spring (7.0%) than in autumn (6.0%) and winter (3.3%) (P<0.01). The highest prevalence of Bothriocephalus was found in grass carp with body weight 0.5<Weight<1.5 group with 1-91 infected intensity. The highest intensity of infection was in summer (23-104), and least in winter (1-32). The present survey revealed the prevalence of Bothriocephalus in grass carp in Dongting Lake of Hunan province, subtropical China. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Bothriocephalus prevalence in grass carp in China.

Effects of epidural compression on stellate neurons and thalamocortical afferent fibers in the rat primary somatosensory cortex

A number of neurological disorders such as epidural hematoma can cause compression of cerebral cortex. We here tested the hypothesis that sustained compression of primary somatosensory cortex may affect stellate neurons and thalamocortical afferent (TCA) fibers. A rat model with barrel cortex subjected to bead epidural compression was used. Golgi-Cox staining analyses showed the shrinkage of dendritic arbors and the stripping of dendritic spines of stellate neurons for at least 3 months post-lesion. Anterograde tracing analyses exhibited a progressive decline of TCA fiber density in barrel field for 6 months post-lesion. Due to the abrupt decrease of TCA fiber density at 3 days after compression, we further used electron microscopy to investigate the ultrastructure of TCA fibers at this time. Some TCA fiber terminal profiles with dissolved or darkened mitochondria and fewer synaptic vesicles were distorted and broken. Furthermore, the disruption of mitochondria and myelin sheath was observed in some myelinated TCA fibers. In addition, expressions of oxidative markers 3-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal were elevated in barrel field post-lesion. Treatment of antioxidant ascorbic acid or apocynin was able to reverse the increase of oxidative stress and the decline of TCA fiber density, rather than the shrinkage of dendrites and the stripping of dendritic spines of stellate neurons post-lesion. Together, these results indicate that sustained epidural compression of primary somatosensory cortex affects the TCA fibers and the dendrites of stellate neurons for a prolonged period. In addition, oxidative stress is responsible for the reduction of TCA fiber density in barrels rather than the shrinkage of dendrites and the stripping of dendritic spines of stellate neurons.

Aluminum complexes incorporating symmetrical and asymmetrical tridentate pincer type pyrrolyl ligands: synthesis, characterization and reactivity study

A series of aluminum complexes incorporating substituted symmetrical and asymmetrical tridentate pyrrolyl ligands are synthesized conveniently and the treatment of the derivatives with small organic molecules are analyzed. The reaction of lithiated [C4H2NH(2-CH2NH(t)Bu)(5-CH2NR1R2)], where for 1, R1 = R2 = Me; 2, R1 = H, R2 = (t)Bu, with AlCl3 in diethyl ether affords Al[C4H2N(2-CH2NH(t)Bu)(5-CH2NMe2)]Cl2 (3) and Al[C4H2N(2,5-CH2NH(t)Bu)2]Cl2 (4), respectively, in high yields. Furthermore, subjecting 3 and 4 to reaction with one equiv. of LiNMePh in diethyl ether generates Al[C4H2N(2-CH2NH(t)Bu)(5-CH2NMe2)][NMePh]Cl (5) and Al[C4H2N(2,5-CH2NH(t)Bu)2][NMePh]Cl (6), respectively, while eliminating one equiv. of LiCl. The reaction between compound 4 with two equiv. of LiO-Ph-4-Me in diethyl ether yields the aluminum di-phenoxide compound Al[C4H2N(2,5-CH2NH(t)Bu)2](O-Ph-4-Me)2 (7) whereas the combination of 3 and two equiv. of LiNH(t)Bu, produces Al[C4H2N(2-CH2N(t)Bu)(5-CH2NMe2)](NH(t)Bu)(NH2(t)Bu) (8). Additionally, the mixing of 1 and one equiv. of AlMe3 renders Al[C4H2N(2-CH2NH(t)Bu)(5-CH2NMe2)]Me2 (9). Adding one more equiv. of AlMe3 with 9 affords {Al[C4H2N(2-CH2NH(t)Bu)(5-CH2NMe2)AlMe3]Me2} (10), which can also be obtained by treating 1 with two equiv. of AlMe3 directly. The treatment of 9 with one equiv. of 2,6-dimethylphenol in diethyl ether gives the aluminum alkoxide derivative, Al[C4H2N(2-CH2NH(t)Bu)(5-CH2NMe2)](O-C6H3-2,6-Me2)Me (11). Furthermore, the reaction between 9 and one equiv. of 1-ethyl-1-phenyl ketene, initiates the aluminum dimethyl complex Al{C4H2N[2-CH2CEtPh-C(=O)-NH(t)Bu](5-CH2NMe2)}Me2 (12) with a C-N bond breakage and a C-C bond formation. All the Al-derivatives are characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structures are determined by single crystal X-ray diffractometry in solid state.

Effects of phorbol myristate acetate and sivelestat on the lung injury caused by fat embolism in isolated lungs

Background

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) associated with acute lung injury (ALI) is a clinical condition following long bone fracture. We have reported 14 victims due to ALI with FES. Our laboratory has developed an animal model that produced fat emboli (FE). The major purpose of this study was to test whether neutrophil activation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and inhibition with sivelestat (SVT) exert protection on the lung.

Methods

The lungs of Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and perfused. FE was produced by addition of corn oil micelles into the lung perfusate. PMA and SVT were given simultaneously with FE. Parameters such as lung weight/body weight ratio, LW gain, exhaled nitric oxide (NO), protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage relating to ALI were measured. The neutrophil elastase (NE), myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde and phopholipase A₂ activity were determined. We also measured the nitrate/nitrite, methyl guanidine (MG), and cytokines. Pulmonary arterial pressure and microvascular permeability were assessed. Lung pathology was examined and scored. The inducible and endothelial NO synthase (iNOS and eNOS) were detected.

Results

FE caused ALI and increased biochemical factors. The challenge also resulted in pulmonary hypertension and increased microvascular permeability. The NE appeared to be the first to reach its peak at 1 hr, followed by other factors. Coadministration with PMA exacerbated the FE-induced changes, while SVT attenuated the effects of FE.

Conclusions

The FE-induced lung changes were enhanced by PMA, while SVT had the opposite effect. Sivelestat, a neutrophil inhibitor may be a therapeutic choice for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following fat embolism.

Dichlorido{N'-[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl-idene-κN]acetohydrazide-κN',O}copper(II)

In the title compound, [CuCl₂(C₈H₉N₃O)], the Cu^II atom has a distorted square-pyramidal CuCl₂N₂O coordination geometry. The tridentate acetohydrazide ligand occupies three basal positions, the fourth basal position being defined by a chloride anion at a distance of 2.2116 (6) Å. The second chloride anion is in the apical position and forms a longer Cu—Cl distance of 2.4655 (7) Å. Inter­molecular N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds are present in the crystal, leading to the formation of chains along [10].

Ascorbic acid prevents blood-brain barrier disruption and sensory deficit caused by sustained compression of primary somatosensory cortex

Transient compression of rat somatosensory cortex has been reported to affect cerebral microvasculature and sensory function simultaneously. However, the effects of long-term cortical compression remain unknown. Here, we investigated whether and to what extent sustained but moderate epidural compression of rat somatosensory cortex impairs somatic sensation and/or cortical microvasculature. Electrophysiological and behavioral tests revealed that sustained compression caused only short-term sensory deficit, particularly at 1 day after injury. Although the diameter of cortical microvessels was coincidentally reduced, no ischemic insult was observed. By measuring Evans Blue and immunoglobulin G extravasation, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was found to dramatically increase during 1 to 3 days, but this did not lead to brain edema. Furthermore, immunoblotting showed that the BBB component proteins occludin, claudin-5, type IV collagen, and glial fibrillary acidic protein were markedly upregulated in the injured cortex during 1 to 2 weeks when BBB regained integrity. Conversely, treatment of ascorbic acid prevented compression-induced BBB disruption and sensory impairment. Together, these data suggest that sustained compression of the somatosensory cortex compromises BBB integrity and somatic sensation only in the early period. Ascorbic acid may be used therapeutically to modulate cortical compression and/or BBB dysfunction.

Proximity of lesioning determines response of facial motoneurons to peripheral axotomy

We recently found that rubrospinal (RS) neurons, which typify central neurons projecting within the central nervous system (CNS), exhibited different neuronal and glial reactions to axotomy at proximal as opposed to distal sites. To determine whether distance also determines the reaction to axonal injury of central neurons projecting to the periphery, we studied the temporal expression of four free-radical-related enzymes as well as the severity of cell loss, perineuronal astrocytic and microglial reactions, and degeneration of the proximal central axons of facial motoneurons after axotomies performed at various sites on the brainstem surface and in the stylomastoid foramen, respectively. Distal lesions resulted in upregulation of these neurons' expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and persistent downregulation of their expression of the NOS-activating enzyme calcineurin. It also led to transient upregulation of their expression of manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), and resulted in a mild neuronal loss. Proximal axotomy led to an upregulation of NOS but a transient downregulation in the expression of calcineurin and Mn-SOD at 4 weeks after injury. This was accompanied by severe cell loss and swelling of mitochondria at 2-4 weeks postinjury. However, neither proximal nor distal axonal lesioning led to nuclear fragmentation or TUNEL staining of neurons. Proximal as opposed to distal axotomy produced an earlier transformation of glial morphology, including the hypertrophy of astrocytic processes and metamorphosis of ramified microglia to amoeboid cells. We unexpectedly found that unlike RS neurons, whose central axons degenerated slowly and in an anterograde manner only after the severe cell loss induced by proximal axotomy, the central axons of facial motoneurons degenerated rapidly and in a retrograde manner independently of the severity of loss of these neurons after axotomy. However, degeneration began sooner after proximal than after distal axotomy. Since the central axons of both rubrospinal neurons and facial motoneurons lie within the CNS, the differences in whether and how they degenerated after axotomy suggests that central neurons that project within and outside the CNS are inherently different. The significance of these and also the free radical environment regulation differences between these two types of neurons following close and distant axotomies remains to be explored.

Statistical optimization of medium components for enhanced acetoin production from molasses and soybean meal hydrolysate

The nutritional requirements for acetoin production by Bacillus subtilis CICC 10025 were optimized statistically in shake flask experiments using indigenous agroindustrial by-products. The medium components considered for initial screening in a Plackett-Burman design comprised a-molasses (molasses submitted to acidification pretreatment), soybean meal hydrolysate (SMH), KH(2)PO(4).3H(2)O, sodium acetate, MgSO(4).7H(2)O, FeCl(2), and MnCl(2), in which the first two were identified as significantly (at the 99% significant level) influencing acetoin production. Response surface methodology was applied to determine the mutual interactions between these two components and optimal levels for acetoin production. In flask fermentations, 37.9 g l(-1) acetoin was repeatedly achieved using the optimized concentrations of a-molasses and SMH [22.0% (v/v) and 27.8% (v/v), respectively]. a-Molasses and SMH were demonstrated to be more productive than pure sucrose and yeast extract plus peptone, respectively, in acetoin fermentation. In a 5-l fermenter, 35.4 g l(-1) of acetoin could be obtained after 56.4 h of cultivation. To our knowledge, these results, i.e., acetoin yields in flask or fermenter fermentations, were new records on acetoin fermentation by B. subtilis.

Tetramethylpyrazine production from glucose by a newly isolated Bacillus mutant

2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine (TTMP) was produced using a newly isolated Bacillus mutant. Culture medium optimization studies showed that soytone, an enzyme-hydrolysate of soybean meal, with the supplementation of vitamins, can fully replace yeast extract plus peptone in supporting TTMP production from glucose. In a 5-l fermenter, using the optimized medium which contained 20% glucose, 5% soytone, 3% (NH(4))(2)HPO(4), and vitamin supplements, fermentations were carried out with stirring at 700 rpm, air flow at 1.0 vvm, controlled pH at 7.0, and temperature at 37 degrees C. TTMP reached 4.33 g l(-1) after 64.6 h cultivation. A product recovery method was described, which involved evaporation, crystallization, and lyophilization. The product purity was 99.88%, determined by GC with the normalization method. The main impurities were 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine (0.09%) and 2-ethyl-3,5,6-trimethylpyrazine (0.02%), which were identified by GC/MS. (13)C NMR determination also gave a consistent result. Natural and high purity of the product and the utilization of cheap green renewable materials make this process promising to compete with TTMP chemical synthetic methods.

Craniofacial morphometric analysis of mandibular prognathism

The purpose of this study was to provide more information about the morphological characteristics of the craniofacial complex in mandibular prognathism. Forty young adult males having mandibular prognathism were compared with 40 having normal occlusion. This was conducted to carry out geometric morphometric assessments to localize alterations, using Procrustes analysis and thin-plate spline analysis, in addition to conventional cephalometric techniques. Procrustes analysis indicated that the mean craniofacial, midfacial and mandibular morphology was significantly different in prognathic subjects compared with normal controls. This finding was corroborated by the multivariate Hotelling T(2)-test of cephalometric variables. Mandibular prognathism demonstrated a shorter and slightly retropositioned maxilla, a greater total length and anterior positioning of the mandible. Thin-plate spline analysis revealed a developmental diminution of the palatomaxillary region anteroposteriorly and a developmental elongation of the mandible anteroposteriorly, leading to the appearance of a prognathic mandibular profile. In conclusion, thin-plate spline analysis seems to provide a valuable supplement for conventional cephalometric analysis because the complex patterns of craniofacial shape change are visualized suggestive by means of grid deformations.

Midfacial and mandibular morphometry of children with Class II and Class III malocclusions

There is insufficient evidence in conventional cephalometric analysis of the actual sites of putative maxillofacial change in Class II and Class III malocclusions. The purpose of this study was to provide more information about the morphological characteristics of the midfacial complex and mandible in children with Class II or III malocclusions. Seventy children with Class II, division 1 malocclusion and 70 children with Class III malocclusion were compared with 70 children with normal occlusion. This study was conducted to carry out geometric morphometric assessments to localize alterations using Procrustes analysis and thin-plate spline analysis. Procrustes analysis indicated the midfacial and mandibular morphologies differed between normal occlusion subjects and subjects with Class II or Class III malocclusion (P<0.0001). The deformations in subjects with Class II malocclusion may represent a developmental elongation of the palatomaxillary complex and a shortening of the mandible anteroposteriorly, which leads to the appearance of a protruding midface and retruding mandibular profile. In contrast, the deformations in subjects with Class III malocclusion may represent a developmental shortening of the palatomaxillary complex and elongation of the mandible anteroposteriorly, which leads to the appearance of a retrognathic midface and prognathic mandibular profile.

Geometric morphometric assessment of treatment effects of maxillary protraction combined with chin cup appliance on the maxillofacial complex

The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment effects on the maxillofacial complex by maxillary protraction combined with chin cup therapy among growing children. An effective geometric morphometric assessment of cephalometric radiographs, using Procrustes analysis and thin-plate spline analysis, was applied to evaluate shape change in the craniofacial and midfacial configurations of a treated sample of 20 children with skeletal Class III malocclusion. This was compared with matched untreated skeletal Class III controls. Marked treatment induced change involved the maxilla and the mandible. Major deformation consisted of forward advancement of the maxillary complex with negligible rotation of the palatal plane and a forward direction of growth of the mandibular condyle associated with a restriction in sagittal advancement of the chin. Considerable dentoalveolar components contributed to the correction of anterior crossbite. Further detailed study of skeletofacial remodelling in response to maxillary protraction in other skeletal components, including the cranial base and the mandibular complex that contribute to Class III skeletal discrepancies, is warranted.

Close axonal injury of rubrospinal neurons induced transient perineuronal astrocytic and microglial reaction that coincided with their massive degeneration

To learn more about the pathophysiology of axonal injury and the significance of axon collaterals on the survival of axotomized cord-projection central neurons, we studied the survival rate, surrounding astrocytic and microglial reactions, and bouton coverage on rat rubrospinal cell bodies following their axonal lesion at the brain stem and upper cervical level. The brain stem lesion disconnected most rubrospinal neurons from all their targets, while the upper cervical lesion spared their supraspinal collaterals. Much higher cell loss accompanied by robust astrocytic and microglial reaction was found following brain stem than upper cervical lesion starting 4 days postaxotomy. The reaction of astrocytes had subsided while microglial reaction remained relatively robust by 10 weeks postaxotomy when the cell loss had slowed down. Ultrastructural observation revealed that reactive astrocytes covered 40%, an increase from the 20% of control, of brain stem-axotomized rubrospinal cell body surface at 4 days and 2 weeks and returned to normal levels by 10 weeks postlesion. An increase of apposition by axons and dendrites and a moderate decrease of round and flattened vesicle-containing bouton contacts at 4 days and 2 weeks and returning to normal levels at 10 weeks postaxotomy accompanied this. It appears that although axotomy induced robust astrocytic reaction around cord-projection central neurons, this, unlike their periphery-projection counterparts, failed to effectively strip their somatic synapses. In effect, this might in part determine neuronal fate following axonal injury.

Thin-plate spline (TPS) graphical analysis of the mandible on cephalometric radiographs

We describe two cases of Class III malocclusion with and without orthodontic treatment. A thin-plate spline (TPS) analysis of lateral cephalometric radiographs was used to visualize transformations of the mandible. The actual sites of mandibular skeletal change are not detectable with conventional cephalometric analysis. These case analyses indicate that specific patterns of mandibular transformation are associated with Class III malocclusion with or without orthopaedic therapy, and visualization of these deformations is feasible using TPS graphical analysis.

Experimental and modeling study of diauxic lag of Pseudomonas denitrificans switching from oxic to anoxic conditions

We have shown that Pseudomonas denitrificans undergo a diauxie when switching from dissolved oxygen to nitrate as terminal electron acceptor. The length of time under aeration significantly affected the length of the diauxic lag, whereas the presence or absence of nitrate in the culture under aeration had a marginal effect. Nitrate consumption was very low during the lag period and then increased rapidly, coinciding with exponentially increasing biomass concentrations. Biochemical rate expressions that account for enzyme synthesis and activity in response to culture conditions and enzyme specific levels were developed. The new model successfully predicts the different lengths of diauxic lags observed in the experiments as well as the growth pattern and nitrate uptake.

[Protective effect of putrescine on oleic acid-induced respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)]

The effect of putrescine on oleic acid-induced RDS were studied in rat, it was found that preadministration of putrescine to rat with RDS significantly improved its hypoxemia, pulmonary edema and histologic injury; inhibited the leakage of protein from plasma; lowered increase of pulmonary lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehde, MDA). The result suggests that putrescine could have significant potential for clinical treatment of acute pulmonary injury.

Application of alcohol- or acetone-fixed Schistosoma eggs as an alternative to lyophilized eggs for the circumoval precipitin test

Antigenicity of Schistosoma mansoni and S. japonicum eggs preserved in ethanol or acetone were assessed in a circumoval precipitin (COP) assay. The egg antigens were found to retain sufficiently their COP reactivity for the diagnosis of both schistosomiasis mansoni and japonica, although their reactivity became lower than that of lyophilized eggs. These alternative preparations for COP tests have advantages, such as keeping eggs directly in fixatives soon after the egg-purification process. Furthermore, evaporation-process may cause eggshell cleavages which facilitate the reaction. The possible usefulness of those eggs in COP assays in local endemic areas is discussed.

Esophageal rupture in an infant secondary to esophageal placement of a Foley catheter gastrostomy tube

We report a case of esophageal rupture in a five-month-old female infant caused by a Foley catheter gastrostomy tube inadvertently placed into the esophagus at the time of tube change. The patient presented with vomiting and progressive respiratory distress and when first evaluated had a left-sided pneumothorax. The esophageal location of the Foley balloon was not initially apparent. Metrizamide radiography demonstrated the esophageal rupture. The patient recovered with drainage of the mediastinal and pleural collections. Physicians and caretakers should be alerted to the mechanical complications of Foley catheter tube gastrostomy, since these complications are mostly preventable and easily diagnosed.

Clinical experience with percutaneous intra-aortic balloon pumping in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction

From July 1984 to December 1987, intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) was attempted percutaneously to 22 patients at the ages of 37-78 with cardiogenic shock or medically refractory heart failure complicating acute myocardial infarction (CS/MRHF-AMI). There was only one failure because of severe bilateral iliofemoral atherosclerosis. Of the 21 patients undergoing IABP, 17 were in cardiogenic shock and 13 of them showed reversal of shock syndrome after 10 to 48 hours of IABP. Cardiac index increased from 1.91 +/- 0.43 to 2.45 +/- 0.43 L/min/M2 (P less than 0.005), spontaneous systolic arterial pressure rose from 79 +/- 10 to 114 +/- 19 mmHg (P = 0.0001), heart rate dropped from 111 +/- 26 to 85 +/- 13 beats/min (P = 0.0001), pulmonary artery wedge pressure decreased from 29 +/- 5 to 16 +/- 3 mmHg (P = 0.0001), and urine output increased from 7 +/- 10 to 79 +/- 22 ml/h (P = 0.0001). Twelve patients, including 4 shock-free, were subsequently weaned from balloon assistance. Of these patients, 8 (5 shock and 3 nonshock) were discharged from the hospital and followed-up for a mean period of 23 months (4 to 38 months). Of the surviving patients, 4 underwent surgical reperfusion and/or infarctectomy during balloon support (n = 1) or after weaning from IABP (n = 3). All of the 10 patients who underwent coronary angiogram were found a severe left anterior descending artery lesion. The main complication was leg ischemia, which was observed in 7 patients: 3 needed removal or replacement of balloon catheter and one required surgical removal of the thrombus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Three types of atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia using bilateral accessory pathways in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Electrophysiologic studies were performed on a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and recurrent supraventricular tachycardia. Bilateral accessory pathways capable of antegrade and retrograde conduction and three different types of atrioventricular (AV) reciprocating tachycardia were demonstrated. One type of narrow QRS tachycardia used the normal AV pathway for antegrade conduction and the left-sided accessory pathway for retrograde conduction. Two types of wide QRS tachycardia (one with right bundle branch block and one with left bundle branch block) used both accessory pathways for antegrade and retrograde conduction, respectively, and were independent of the normal AV pathway. The data showed that bilateral accessory pathways have different electrophysiologic properties and participate in three different types of AV reciprocating tachycardia.

Natural history of coronary artery disease in relation to angiographic, hemodynamic and clinical factors

Studying the natural history of coronary artery disease could provide a frame of reference for prognosis and appraisal of treatment for patients having this disease. We studied a total of 465 consecutive patients with angiographically significant coronary artery disease, defined as greater than 50% stenosis in at least one principal artery, who were followed with medical treatment only from 1 to 7 years. Excluding patients with left main coronary disease, there were 73 deaths, of whom 63 were cardiac. The 5-year cumulative survival rates were 72% for the entire group, 87% for single vessel disease, 73% for double vessel disease and 51% for triple vessel disease. In single vessel disease, patients with left anterior descending artery involvement tended to have higher mortality. In double vessel disease, survival was worse with the combination of left anterior descending and right coronary artery involvements than the other 2 combinations. A history of myocardial infarction was not significantly different from angina in 5-year survival rate. Nevertheless, an abnormal Q-wave in ECG was associated with lower survival. History of hypertension and electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy did not affect survival. While congestive heart failure, abnormal resting LVEDP and left ventricular asynergy were all associated with reduced survival. The left ventricular ejection fraction had highly prognostic value, only 42% of patients survived with ejection fraction less than 0.3 at the end of 5 years after angiography.

Incontinentia pigmenti in a father and his daughter

We present two cases of incontinentia pigmenti in a father and his daughter and discuss possible modes of inheritance. The mode of inheritance in our patients is known.

Nadolol and supraventricular tachycardia: an electrophysiologic study

To assess antiarrhythmic efficacy of oral nadolol, 15 patients with recurrent supraventricular tachycardia were studied. Eight patients had atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia and seven had AV reciprocating tachycardia involving an accessory AV pathway. Electrophysiologic studies were performed before and after intravenous infusion of propranolol (0.20 mg/kg), and were repeated 5 to 8 days after oral nadolol therapy at a daily dose of 80 to 160 mg. Both intravenous propranolol and oral nadolol induced significant prolongation of the sinus cycle length from 741 +/- 73 ms to 834 +/- 97 and 1,029 +/- 95 ms, respectively (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.0001, respectively). Both intravenous propranolol and oral nadolol depressed AV nodal but not accessory AV pathway conduction, and shifted the dual AV nodal pathway conduction curves (A1A2, A2H2; A1A2, H1H2) upward and to the right by prolonging the conduction time and increasing the refractory period. Ten patients (seven with AV nodal reentry and three with AV reciprocation) who responded to intravenous propranolol also responded to oral nadolol with loss of the inducibility of sustained tachycardia; the remaining five patients (one with AV nodal reentry and four with AV reciprocation) who did not respond to intravenous propranolol also failed to respond to oral nadolol with persistence of the inducibility of sustained tachycardia. Thus, in conclusion, intravenous propranolol testing predicts the therapeutic efficacy of oral nadolol therapy and oral nadolol in once-daily doses may be used for long-term prophylaxis of recurrent supraventricular tachycardia.