Construction of a simple thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence reader for luminescence dosimetry research

This work describes the construction of a simple thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) reader using commercial components such as temperature and power controllers for thermal stimulation, as well as green laser diodes (532 nm) for optical stimulation. To evaluate the performance of the equipment, TL measurements were carried out on the built equipment and Risø TL/OSL reader using Al₂O₃:C chip dosimeters. Both measurements showed the same glow curve with two TL peaks, one with low intensity at 85 °C and the other with high intensity at 220 °C. OSL measurements in Al₂O₃:C chips showed a well-behaved exponential decay signal and linear behavior of OSL intensity for doses between 2 and 10 mGy with a rough calculation of minimum detection dose of ∼2 µGy.

Compounds derived from endophytes: a review of phytochemistry and pharmacology

OBJECTIVE

Endophytes, microorganisms that reside in the tissues of living plants, are a promising source of novel compounds with biological activity, or an alternative source of compounds originally isolated from higher plants. The intent of this review is to provide insights into their occurrence in nature, the products that they make, and how some of these organisms are beginning to show some potential for human use.

METHODS

Information for analysis of endophytic microorganisms was obtained from libraries and Internet scientific databases such as Scirus, Google Scholar, CAB-Abstracts, MedlinePlus, PubMed, SciFinder, Scopus and Web of Science.

RESULTS

Many of the compounds reported here were isolated exclusively from endophytes in culture, while other compounds had been previously reported as chemical constituents of higher plants. A survey of the literature shows endophytic microorganisms are mainly known for their alkaloids with cytotoxic, chemopreventive, anti-metastatic and antitumor properties used in the treatment of several types of cancer. The studies of these alkaloids highlight the existence of various potential leads for the development of novel anti-cancer agents. Modern pharmacology studies demonstrated that their crude extracts and active compounds possess wide pharmacological actions, especially for anti-microbial drug discovery, with neuroprotective, antioxidant, nematicidal, antiplasmodium, anti-inflammatory activities.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review summarizes the up-to-date and comprehensive information on compounds from endophytes fungi from 1995 to 2011 that relates to 313 compounds isolated from endophytic microorganisms, together with the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, and discusses possible trends and the scope for future research of endophytes.

Pathogenicity of chicken anaemia virus (isolate 10343) for young and older chickens

One-day-old chicks, inoculated intramuscularly (i.m.) with the chicken anaemia virus (CAV) isolate 10343, showed depression of body weight gain and anaemia, particularly between days 14 and 21 post-inoculation (p.i.)- The weights of thymus and bursa were substantially reduced compared to controls at days 14 and 21 p.i. The histological lesions detected in thymus, bursa, spleen and liver were similar in frequency at days 14 and 21 p.i. Eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies, lymphocyte depletion, and focal necrosis were detected in the thymus, spleen, bursa and liver of more than 50% of the inoculated chicks at days 14 and 21 p.i. Focal necrosis and vacuolar degeneration in the liver, as well as apoptosis in different organs were more evident at days 14 and 21 p.i. Ten-week-old broiler breeders, inoculated i.m. with isolate 10343 showed pathological changes that were less severe than the changes shown by 1-day-old chicks. No anaemia could be detected in this group. However, severe thymus atrophy, and histological lesions in bursa, spleen, and liver, were also evident at days 14 and 21 p.i. in some of the inoculated birds. Viral detection by immunofluorescence using a monoclonal antibody revealed a wide distribution of the CAV isolate. CAV antigen was detected until day 21 p.i. in thymus, spleen, bursa and liver. According to the severity of the lesions shown by 1-day-old chicks, the length of the period in which CAV antigen could be detected in tissues, and the fact that CAV isolate 10343 was capable of inducing disease in 10-week-old chickens, it seems that this CAV isolate may be particularly virulent.

Myofibroblast transdifferentiation in obliterative bronchiolitis: tgf-beta signaling through smad3-dependent and -independent pathways

We have shown that Smad3, an intracellular signal transducer for transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), is required to elicit the full histological manifestations of obliterative airway disease in a tracheal transplant model. This suggests that chronic allograft rejection results in TGF-beta1-induced Smad3 activation that leads to airway obliteration through fibroproliferation and increased matrix deposition. In other systems, these latter events are causally related to the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, but their role in obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) after lung transplantation is unknown. We confirmed the presence of myofibroblasts inside affected airways associated with experimental OB using immunohistochemistry. Studying airway fibroblasts in vitro, we observed increased myofibroblast transdifferentiation in response to TGF-beta1, evidenced by increased alpha-smooth muscle actin mRNA and protein expression. In Smad3-null fibroblasts, TGF-beta1 induction of myofibroblast transdifferentiation was greatly diminished but not abolished, suggesting the presence of Smad3-independent pathways. Further studies revealed that small molecule inhibitors of p38 (SB203580) and MEK/ERK (U1026) further reduced the remaining effect of TGF-beta1 in Smad3-deficient fibroblasts. Together, these studies suggest that in chronic allograft rejection, TGF-beta1 stimulates myofibroblast transdifferentiation through Smad3-dependent and -independent signals, contributing to the excessive matrix deposition that characterizes obliterative bronchiolitis.

Heat Illness Symptom Index (HISI): A Novel Instrument for the Assessment of Heat Illness in Athletes

BACKGROUND

Heatstroke is the third leading cause of death in athletics, and an important cause of morbidity and mortality in exercising athletes. There is no current method, however, for identifying milder forms of heat illness. In this pilot study, we sought to develop and provide initial validation for a Heat Illness Symptom Index scale (HISI) that would facilitate research in the assessment of milder forms of heat illness in athletes.

METHODS

The study was designed as a multimodal prospective observational study of Division I football players during twice daily practices in southern Florida. We developed a 13-item scale that assessed symptoms that are suspected to occur during milder forms of heat illness. The resultant scale was assessed for reliability using Cronbach's alpha, and was assessed for construct validity by correlating scale scores with factors that are known to be related to heat illness. HISI scores, as well as data on perceived exertion, player position, and pre and post practice weights were collected from 95 athletes participating in late summer football practices. A total of 557 athlete sessions were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean score on the heat illness symptom scale was 12.1 (SD 13.8) and the median value was 8.0. Cronbach's alpha confirmed suitable internal consistency of the scale when assessed separately for each of the five morning practices (alpha = 0.91, 0.88, 0.82, 0.92, 0.85). There were statistically significant correlations of the scale score with weight loss during practice (P = 0.006), rating of perceived exertion (P = 0.005), player position (P < 0.0001), and ambient heat index (P = 0.02) as hypothesized.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study provides initial validation for a novel symptom-based tool for use in assessing mild forms of heat illness in an athletic population. Further validation studies of the instrument, and correlating symptom scores with measures of core temperature, are needed and planned.

Automated external defibrillators in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Athletics

BACKGROUND

Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death in athletes. Evidence on current sudden cardiac death prevention through preparticipation history, physicals, and noninvasive cardiovascular diagnostics has demonstrated a low sensitivity for detection of athletes at high risk of sudden cardiac death. Data are lacking on automated external defibrillator programs specifically initiated to respond to rare dysrhythmia in younger, relatively low-risk populations.

METHODS

Surveys were mailed to the head athletic trainers of all National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletics programs listed in the National Athletic Trainers' Association directory. In all, 303 surveys were mailed; 186 departments (61%) responded.

RESULTS

Seventy-two percent (133) of responding National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletics programs have access to automated external defibrillator units; 54% (101) own their units. Proven medical benefit (55%), concern for liability (51%), and affordability (29%) ranked highest in frequency of reasons for automated external defibrillator purchase. Unit cost (odds ratio = 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.0), donated units (odds ratio = 1.92; confidence interval, 3.66-1.01), institution size (odds ratio =.0001; confidence interval, 1.3 E-4 to 2.2E-05), and proven medical benefit of automated external defibrillators (odds ratio = 24; confidence interval, 72-8.1) were the most significant predictors of departmental defibrillator ownership. Emergency medical service response time and sudden cardiac death event history were not significantly predictive of departmental defibrillator ownership. The majority of automated external defibrillator interventions occurred on nonathletes.

CONCLUSIONS

Many athletics medicine programs are obtaining automated external defibrillators without apparent criteria for determination of need. Usage and maintenance policies vary widely among departments with unit ownership or access. Programs need to approach the issue of unit acquisition and implementation with knowledge of the surrounding emergency medical service system, geography of their individual sports medicine facilities, numbers and relative risk of their athletes, and budgetary constraints.

Compliance with Recommendations for Lipid Management among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in an Academic Family Practice

BACKGROUND

Lipid abnormalities are twice as common in patients with type 2 diabetes, and this contributes substantially to their increased risk of cardiac disease. The American Diabetic Association (ADA) has defined treatment goals for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (>45 mg/dL), triglyceride (<200 mg/dL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (<100 mg/dL). It is unknown, however, how frequently patients with diabetes managed in primary care settings are able to attain these treatment goals.

METHODS

We randomly selected 239 patients with type 2 diabetes and conducted a chart review to determine whether patients had attained ADA lipid goals. We examined clinical predictors of goal attainment using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The number and percentage of patients who had attained ADA lipid goals was as follows: HDL cholesterol, 87 of 207 (42.0%); LDL cholesterol, 93 of 208 (47.0%); and triglyceride, 142 of 206 (70.0%). Only 30 of 206 (14.6%) patients had achieved all 3 lipid goals. Three groups of patients with diabetes had greater odds of achieving the LDL treatment goal: men, patients taking a lipid-lowering drug, and patients with hypertension. Patients with diabetes had greater odds of achieving the HDL goal if they were female, were black, or if they had lower values for body mass index and triglyceride. The odds of achieving the triglyceride goal were greater for men, for patients having Medicare insurance supplemented by private insurance, and for those with increasing values of HDL.

CONCLUSION

We found that the majority of patients with diabetes failed to attain lipid goals set forth by the American Diabetes Association. Further study is needed in larger populations to confirm these findings, and if confirmed, to determine the reasons that patients fail to achieve lipid goals.

Prevalence of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Reaching the American Diabetes Association’s Target Guidelines in a University Primary Care Setting

BACKGROUND

The success with which primary care physicians are able to meet American Diabetes Association (ADA) clinical goals is unknown.

METHODS

Charts of 218 randomly sampled type 2 diabetic patients were abstracted to assess the attainment of six ADA treatment goals and receipt of four ADA-recommended health services.

RESULTS

The mean number of ADA goals attained was 4.9 (SD, 1.6). Only one patient had attained all 10 goals. Most patients had attained ADA goals for triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and diabetic education. Most patients had not received an annual eye examination or urine microalbuminuria screening, most were not taking daily aspirin, and most had not attained treatment goals for high-density lipoprotein or systolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

ADA treatment goals may be quite difficult to attain in the primary care setting. Further studies are needed to understand the barriers to diabetes control.

Heat Illness in Athletes

In 1980, 1700 people died during a prolonged heat wave in a region under-prepared for heat illness prevention. Dramatically underreported, heat-related pathology contributes to significant morbidity as well as occasional mortality in athletic, elderly, paediatric and disabled populations. Among US high school athletes, heat illness is the third leading cause of death. Significant risk factors for heat illness include dehydration, hot and humid climate, obesity, low physical fitness, lack of acclimatisation, previous history of heat stroke, sleep deprivation, medications (especially diuretics or antidepressants), sweat gland dysfunction, and upper respiratory or gastrointestinal illness. Many of these risk factors can be addressed with education and awareness of patients at risk. Dehydration, with fluid loss occasionally as high as 6-10% of bodyweight, appears to be one of the most common risk factors for heat illness in patients exercising in the heat. Core body temperature has been shown to rise an additional 0.15-0.2 degrees C for every 1% of bodyweight lost to dehydration during exercise. Identifying athletes at risk, limiting environmental exposure, and monitoring closely for signs and symptoms are all important components of preventing heat illness. However, monitoring hydration status and early intervention may be the most important factors in preventing severe heat illness.

Cervical cancer rates and the supply of primary care physicians in Florida

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This study's aim was to determine if an increased supply of primary care physicians is associated with lower incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer.

METHODS

We determined cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates for each of Florida's 67 counties over the 3-year period of 1993-1995 using data from Florida's population-based tumor registry. Data on physician supply were obtained from the 1994 American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. We used multiple linear regression analysis to examine the relationship between physician supply and cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates, adjusting for other county-level characteristics.

RESULTS

In regression analysis that adjusted for other county-level characteristics, each increase in the supply of family physicians of one physician/10,000 persons was associated with a corresponding drop in the incidence rate of 1.5 cases/100,000 persons and a corresponding drop in mortality rate of .65 cases/100,000 persons.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that a greater supply of primary care physicians is likely associated with a lower incidence of cervical cancer and a lower cervical cancer mortality rate. More studies are needed at the individual patient level to confirm this association.

Peripheral-type benzodiazepines inhibit proliferation of astrocytes in culture

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine (BZD) receptors have been identified in brain and are predominantly localized to astrocytes. To determine their potential role in controlling astroglial proliferation, DNA synthesis, growth curves and mitotic index were investigated in primary astrocyte cultures which had been exposed to Ro5-4864 (a peripheral-type BZD ligand) and PK11195 (a peripheral-type BZD receptor antagonist). There was a dose-dependent inhibition of mitosis when two-week-old cells in culture were exposed to 50 nM, 500 nM, 1 microM and 10 microM Ro5-4864 for 24 h. Exposure of 5-, 8-, 12- and 15-day-old cultures to Ro5-4864 and PK11195 for 24 h did not affect growth rate and DNA synthesis; however, continuous exposure to 10 microM Ro5-4864 caused a persistent inhibition of cell growth and [3H]thymidine incorporation (P less than 0.05) while nanomolar concentrations did not cause any significant change. Concurrent administration of Ro5-4864 with PK11195 resulted in a partial reversal of Ro5-4864-induced inhibition in DNA synthesis and mitosis. These results indicate that peripheral-type BZDs are capable of inhibiting proliferation of astrocytes in culture.

Morbidity from acquired cytomegalovirus infection in a neonatal intensive care unit

In a prospective study of transfused neonates, 32 of 262 infants were viruric at greater than 20 days of life. Of 212 neonates whose early status was known, postnatally acquired infection was proven in 21, two of whom were seronegative at birth and were thought to have transfusion-acquired cytomegalovirus (CMV). Maternal transmission of CMV is important in this population as there was 91% seropositivity for CMV at birth among the 21 babies who acquired CMV compared with 55% positivity among 150 babies who did not shed CMV (P less than 0.01). Significantly increased morbidity (increased length of stay in hospital, increased use of antibiotics, and longer duration of antibiotic administration) was found in babies with acquired CMV compared with matched controls who did not become viruric. Significant morbidity and mortality was not restricted to the two seronegative babies with transfusion-acquired CMV. The cost of providing CMV antibody negative blood for this neonatal unit would be less than the cost of providing the extended hospital care needed by the two babies with transfusion-acquired CMV found during this 3 year study.

Posttransfusion hepatitis: a persistent problem

Between 1977-84 the reported frequency of clinically evident posttransfusion hepatitis has halved both nationally and in the Auckland region. This is mainly due to a decrease in the frequency of posttransfusion hepatitis B coincident with widespread introduction of sensitive screening tests for HBsAg. About half the cases of transfusion induced hepatitis are now classified as non A non B hepatitis. A further fall in the reported frequency of posttransfusion hepatitis occurred in 1985-86. Possible strategies to further reduce the low frequency of posttransfusion hepatitis in New Zealand are discussed. Although the problem of clinical posttransfusion hepatitis B or non B appears small, the need to report all such cases and to utilise blood and blood products with care is emphasised.

Hepatitis delta virus infection: a recently imported disease in New Zealand

In a study of 565 hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) positive persons from the Auckland region, antibody to the hepatitis delta virus was detected in 38. The largest number were in Samoans (61%) although the infection was present in some other Pacific Islanders. Among HBsAg positive healthy blood donors, antenatal patients and acute hepatitis patients between 3.8 and 4.8% were anti-delta positive; while 28% of chronic hepatitis patients were positive suggesting an association between this disease and delta infection. Some positive results were also found in sera from intravenous drug addicts. By contrast, anti-delta was uncommon in New Zealand born Maoris or Europeans. Delta infection can be detected in some Pacific Islanders, some European immigrants as well as intravenous drug addicts and has the potential to spread in an epidemic form to HBsAg carriers in the general community. Widespread vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended to eventually reduce the number of HBsAg carriers in New Zealand.

Intradermal, low dose, short course hepatitis B vaccination

Seventy-five of 88 (85.2%) vaccinees seroconverted at three months after three 2 micrograms doses of a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine had been given intradermally one month apart. Vaccinees under 30 years of age had a significantly better seroconversion rate (88.8%) than older subjects (50%) as measured at three months. Forty-three of 47 (91%) vaccinees who were bled one year post vaccination had antibody levels in excess of 10 IU/1. This study indicates that short course, low dose, intradermal vaccination with plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine may be a viable and cheap regimen for inducing immunity against hepatitis B in younger subjects.

Percutaneous fixation of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children

Of 1,118 supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children treated over a six-year period, 189 are described with a follow-up of more than two years. These patients were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of the fragments with two wires. Eighty-five per cent of the final results were satisfactory.