Well-plate mechanical confinement platform for studies of mechanical mutagenesis

Limited space for cell division, perhaps similar to the compressed microenvironment of a growing tumor, has been shown to induce phenotypic and karyotypic changes to a cell during mitosis. To expand understanding of this missegregation of chromosomes in aberrant multi-daughter or asymmetric cell divisions, we present a simple technique for subjecting mammalian cells to adjustable levels of confinement which allows subsequent interrogation of intracellular molecular components using high resolution confocal imaging. PDMS micropatterned confinement structures of subcellular height with neighboring taller media reservoir channels were secured on top of confluent cells with a custom compression well-plate system. The system improved ease of use over previous devices since confined cells could be initially grown on glass coverslips in a 12-well plate, and subsequently be imaged by high resolution confocal imaging, or during compression by live cell imaging. Live cell imaging showed a significant increase in abnormal divisions of confined cells across three different cell lines (HeLa, A375, and A549). Immunofluoresecence stains revealed a significant increase in cell diameter and chromosome area of confined cells, but no significant increase in centrosome-centromere distance upon division when compared to unconfined cells. The developed system could open up studies more broadly on confinement effects on mitotic processes, and increase the throughput of such studies.

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of new Schiff bases

Five novel Schiff bases have been prepared from o-formylphenoxyacetic acid and a series of aminothiazoles to form a number of potentially biologically active compounds. The structures of these Schiff bases have been characterized using IR and (1)H-and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy.

Deep Impact: observations from a worldwide Earth-based campaign

On 4 July 2005, many observatories around the world and in space observed the collision of Deep Impact with comet 9P/Tempel 1 or its aftermath. This was an unprecedented coordinated observational campaign. These data show that (i) there was new material after impact that was compositionally different from that seen before impact; (ii) the ratio of dust mass to gas mass in the ejecta was much larger than before impact; (iii) the new activity did not last more than a few days, and by 9 July the comet's behavior was indistinguishable from its pre-impact behavior; and (iv) there were interesting transient phenomena that may be correlated with cratering physics.

Six-year experience with management of subclavian artery injuries

Penetrating injuries of the subclavian artery are rare; however, the associated morbidity and mortality may be high. Retrospective data on 25 patients who sustained penetrating subclavian artery injuries are reported. Diagnosis of subclavian artery injuries was made clinically and was followed by expedient surgical exploration in 65.4 per cent of patients. Patients who were hemodynamically unstable at presentation (26.9%) underwent immediate operation. The remaining hemodynamically stable group of patients with hard signs indicative of vascular injury were also expediently taken to the operating room after initial evaluation and resuscitation. Angiographic evaluation was performed in 34.6 per cent of patients who were stable hemodynamically. Preoperative angiography localized the injury and helped in planning the optimal incision and approach to obtain vascular control. Vascular flow was reestablished in all patients operated except for three who underwent ligation of subclavian artery. Limb salvage rate was 100 per cent, and operative mortality was less than 5 per cent. Morbidity was related to hemodynamic stability at presentation and associated injuries. A low morbidity and mortality rate was achieved by aggressive initial resuscitation and early surgical intervention coupled with selective use of preoperative angiography in hemodynamically stable patients.

Characteristics of black patients admitted to coronary care units in metropolitan Seattle: results from the Myocardial Infarction Triage and Intervention Registry (MITI)

Since 1988, 641 black and 11,892 white patients with chest pain of presumed cardiac origin have been admitted to coronary care units in 19 hospitals in metropolitan Seattle. Black men and women were younger (58 vs 66, p less than 0.0001), more often admitted to central city hospitals (p less than 0.0001), and developed evidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) less often (19 vs 23%, p = 0.01). In the subset of 2,870 AMI patients, blacks (n = 121) were younger (59 vs 67, p less than 0.0001) and had less prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (2 vs 10%, p = 0.005) and more prior hypertension (67 vs 46%, p less than 0.0001). During hospitalization, whites (n = 2,749) had higher rates of coronary angioplasty (18 vs 10%, p = 0.03) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (10 vs 4%, p = 0.04), although thrombolytic therapy and cardiac catheterization were used equally in the 2 groups. Hospital mortality was 7.4% for black and 13.1% for white patients (p = 0.07). However, after adjustment for key demographic and clinical variables by logistic regression, this difference was not as apparent (p = 0.38). Questions about the premature onset of coronary artery disease, excess systemic hypertension, and the differential use of interventions in black persons have been raised by other investigators. Despite differences in age, referral patterns and the use of coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery, black and white patients with AMI in metropolitan Seattle had similar outcomes.

A curriculum in clinical sexuality for arthritis health care professionals

The results of an experimental training program in sexologic interviewing for a multidisciplinary arthritis patient care team are reported. The program included didactic instruction, observation and practice of interviewing skills, a seminar, and a case presentation. Trainees had gained more knowledge than control subjects at one year. Both groups improved their interviewing skills, but trainees showed more improvement than controls on problem-list generation. All participants showed more improvement when interviewing male than female patients. The data show that training programs in sexologic interviewing can improve both knowledge and skills. Programs should include actual practice interviewing patients.

Late complications after gastric reservoir reduction with external wrap

Numerous surgical procedures have been introduced to facilitate weight loss in morbidly obese individuals. Gastric reservoir reduction, wrapping the stomach with an inert fabric, is one such procedure. Nissen fundoplication has been performed in conjunction with this approach to prevent postoperative gastroesophageal reflux. Gastric perforation and functional gastroesophageal obstruction occurring as late as 71 months after this operation represent late complications. Perforation has developed in 14.6% of stomachs wrapped with polypropylene mesh. Nissen fundoplication may contribute to this complication.

Thoracic stab wound with delayed pneumoperitoneum and pneumomediastinum

A 21-year-old man with an innocent-appearing, self-inflicted stab wound to the left upper anterior chest developed pneumoperitoneum and pneumomediastinum seven hours after the injury. At laparotomy he had lacerations of the left hemidiaphragm and anterior wall of the stomach, which were surgically repaired. He recovered without complications. Although brief (four- to six-hour) outpatient observation of patients with seemingly superficial thoracic stab wounds recently has been recommended, this case suggests that longer observation periods for such injuries may be appropriate.