Heart rate dynamics in temporal lobe epilepsy-A long-term follow-up study

The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate long-term changes in interictal heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). A 24-h ECG was recorded at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 6.1 years in 18 patients with refractory TLE and 18 patients with well-controlled TLE. After the follow-up, the Poincaré components SD(1) (p=0.039) and SD(2) (p=0.001) were decreased in patients with refractory TLE compared to baseline, whereas in patients with well-controlled TLE no changes (p>0.05) in HR variability were observed. The reduction in HRV seems to be progressive in patients with chronic refractory TLE with recurrent seizures.     

Low-dose oral methotrexate induces apoptosis of tissue eosinophils in bullous pemphigoid

We have shown previously that eosinophils are abundant in blood and tissue in bullous pemphigoid and that they rapidly disappear, without sign of necrosis, during methotrexate therapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of apoptosis in this phenomenon. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling method for detecting apoptosis was used, combined with immunohistochemical detection of eosinophils before and during oral methotrexate. The numbers of apoptotic eosinophils were compared using light microscopy. Eosinophil apoptosis was significantly higher in skin after one week of methotrexate therapy and the number of eosinophils was reduced. The results indicate that methotrexate therapy induces apoptosis of the tissue eosinophils in bullous pemphigoid.     

Human radiation dosimetry of [11C]MeAIB, a new tracer for imaging of system A amino acid transport

Purpose [N-methyl-¹¹C]α-methylaminoisobutyric acid ([¹¹C]MeAIB) is a promising positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for imaging hormonally regulated system A amino acid transport. Uptake of [¹¹C]MeAIB is totally specific for amino acid transport since [¹¹C]MeAIB is metabolically stable both extra- and intracellularly. The aim of this study was to measure cumulated radioactivity in different organs and estimate the absorbed radiation doses to humans with the Medical Internal Radiation Dosimetry (MIRD) method.Methods Radiation absorbed doses were calculated from PET images for 25 volunteers. Dynamic acquisition data were obtained for the thoracic, abdominal, femoral and head and neck regions. The median dose of intravenously injected [¹¹C]MeAIB was 422±35 MBq, with a range of 295–493 MBq. After PET imaging the radioactivity in voided urine was measured. Experimental human data were used for residence time estimates. Radiation doses were calculated with commonly used software.Results The effective dose for a 70-kg adult was 0.004 mSv/MBq, corresponding to a 1.72 mSv effective dose from the PET study with injection of 430 MBq [¹¹C]MeAIB. The highest absorbed doses were in the pancreas (0.018 mGy/MBq), kidneys (0.017 mGy/MBq), intestine (0.014 mGy/MBq), liver (0.008 mGy/MBq) and stomach (0.005 mGy/MBq). Only 0.57% of injected activity was excreted to urine within 1 h after injection.Conclusion Biodistribution of [¹¹C]MeAIB in the abdominal region reflected the high activity of the transportation of amino acids via system A and these organs also had the highest radiation doses. An effective dose of 0.004 mSv/MBq is fully justified when [¹¹C]MeAIB PET is performed to study system A activity in vivo.     

Heat curing of UTMA-based hybrid resin: effects on the degree of conversion and cytotoxicity

This study was designed to determine the effects of the heat curing time on a urethane tetramethacrylate (UTMA)-based hybrid resin and specifically on the degree of conversion (DC) and cytotoxicity. The materials used in this study were Estenia, a new-generation hybrid resin, and an experimental fiber reinforcement, Br-100. The DC values of the hybrid resin samples were measured using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer after 180s of light curing followed by heat curing (0, 15, 30, and 60min). A method comparing intensities of C = C and N—H vibrations of the sample was used to calculate the final DC values. FTIR spectra were measured both inside and on the surface of the sample. The calculated DC values increased by increasing the heat curing times. After light curing only and after 15-min heat curing, the DC values inside the samples were smaller than the corresponding DC values at the surfaces of the samples. After 60min of heat curing, the samples achieved homogeneous polymerization (DC% = 65). The cytotoxicity of the material was studied from the glass fiber-reinforced hybrid resin samples, which were first light cured and then heat cured (15, 30, and 60min). Cytotoxicity was tested using both direct contact and extract methods. For the extract tests, the test specimens were incubated in a cell culture media at 37°, 54°, or 72°C for 24h. The heat curing times used had no effect on cytotoxicity. The incubation temperature, however, did have a significant effect. The extract obtained from 72°C incubation showed a cytotoxic effect whereas the others did not. The direct contact test did not show cytotoxicity.     

How to Bury the Dead: Elimination of Apoptotic Hair Cells from the Hearing Organ of the Mouse

Hair cell death is a major cause of hearing impairment. Preservation of surface barrier upon hair cell loss is critical to prevent leakage of potassium-rich endolymph into the organ of Corti and to prevent expansion of cellular damage. Understanding of wound healing in this cytoarchitecturally complex organ requires ultrastructural 3D visualization. Powered by the serial block-face scanning electron microscopy, we penetrate into the cell biological mechanisms in the acute response of outer hair cells and glial-like Deiters’ cells to ototoxic trauma in vivo. We show that Deiters’ cells function as phagocytes. Upon trauma, their phalangeal processes swell and the resulting close cellular contacts allow engulfment of apoptotic cell debris. Apical domains of dying hair cells are eliminated from the inner ear sensory epithelia, an event thought to depend on supporting cells’ actomyosin contractile activity. We show that in the case of apoptotic outer hair cells of the organ of Corti, elimination of their apices is preceded by strong cell body shrinkage, emphasizing the role of the dying cell itself in the cleavage. Our data reveal that the resealing of epithelial surface by junctional extensions of Deiters’ cells is dynamically reinforced by newly polymerized F-actin belts. By analyzing Cdc42-inactivated Deiters’ cells with defects in actin dynamics and surface closure, we show that compromised barrier integrity shifts hair cell death from apoptosis to necrosis and leads to expanded hair cell and nerve fiber damage. Our results have implications concerning therapeutic protective and regenerative interventions, because both interventions should maintain barrier integrity.     

Further testing of a family nursing instrument (FAFHES)

BACKGROUND: Cardiac illness in one family member affects the well-being and health of the whole family. When a family member falls ill, life may change for the whole family in many ways. Family members expect nursing staff to provide more support when their family situation changes. OBJECTIVES: To describe further development and testing of a family nursing instrument for assessing the association between social support for the family of an adult cardiac patient and family functioning and perceived family health. SETTINGS: The study was conducted in two university hospitals and in two central hospitals in Finland. METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS: Questionnaires were given to family members of heart patients. Patients themselves defined who their closest adult relative was. Data were collected from family members of 509 heart patients. RESULTS: Good internal reliability in this further testing of a new instrument was demonstrated. Principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was performed in each of the three total scales: family functioning, family health and social support. PCA supported the previously proposed theoretical framework. A final scale consisted of 62 items. All the total scales and subscales had acceptable validity and reliability, alpha coefficients ranged from .76 to .98. CONCLUSIONS: The Family Functioning, Health and Social Support (FAFHES) provides a reliable and valid instrument when the investigator wishes to measure social support associated with family functioning and the health of families of heart patients.