Large Area Monodomain Order in Colloidal Crystals

Summary: In previous papers, a novel melt process was reported for the preparation of colloidal crystals exhibiting the crystalline structure of opals. Latex spheres with a hard, crosslinked core and a grafted‐on elastomeric shell flow at elevated temperatures under uniaxial compression much like other polymer melts. However, the spheres start crystallizing at the plates of the press, whereupon the crystalline order grows, layer by layer, into the flowing melt. In this report, the domain order of opal disks thus obtained is discussed, together with the phenomena of light reflection. The pattern of light reflected from the (220) plane of the fcc lattice reveals that, during compression, this lattice is oriented macroscopically by the radial melt flow so that each radial sector of the opal disk forms a crystalline monodomain.

Film of latex spheres with colloidal crystalline order prepared by melt compression of PS/PMMAcsPEA core‐shell latex spheres.     

Retinoid concentrations in the mouse during postnatal development and after maternal vitamin A supplementation

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A (VA) and its derivates (retinoids) are important nutritional substances, which mediate their biological activity mainly via nuclear retinoid receptors. Maternal VA intake during lactation influences the VA content in milk and the VA status of the progeny. We investigated the effects of maternal supplementation during lactation and direct supplementation to the pups after weaning on the retinoid concentration in serum and liver of neonatal mice using high doses of VA. METHODS: Dams were fed a basal (4,500 retinol equivalents/kg diet) or a VA-supplemented (324,000 retinol equivalents/kg diet) diet during lactation. Pups kept receiving the same diet after weaning. Serum and liver samples of the pups were collected during lactation at days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 and post-weaning at days 21 and 65 after birth. Samples were analysed for retinoids by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Maternal VA supplementation resulted in significantly higher concentrations of retinol, retinyl palmitate and retinyl stearate in serum of mice neonates at days 5, 7, 14, 21 and 65 after birth in comparison to the basal diet, whereas significantly higher concentrations were observed in liver at days 5, 14, 21 and 65 after birth. At day 7 after birth, a decrease in the liver retinoid concentrations occurred in the VA-supplemented diet. CONCLUSION: Our results show for the first time that supplementation with high doses of VA during the lactation period in mice can affect serum retinol concentrations in the neonates and report that day 7 after birth is a critical time in the tissue distribution of retinoids during postnatal development.     

Inhibition of cell movement and associated changes by hexachlorocyclohexanes due to unregulated intracellular calcium increases

Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCCHs) are potent stimulators of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) oxidative metabolism and of mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores. It was of interest, therefore, to evaluate the effect of HCCHs on PMN orientation and chemotaxis and to determine their effectiveness as chemotaxins. Chemotaxis was evaluated using micro-Boyden chambers, f-actin was quantitated by nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD)-phallacidin fluorescence, and microtubules were quantitated by observing the concanavalin A (Con A) capping phenomenon. We also evaluated changes in intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i using quin 2 fluorescence. We found that the HCCH isomers were not chemotaxins and that the HCCH isomers that stimulated O2- formation (delta and gamma HCCH) inhibited chemotaxis. This effect was associated with inhibition of orientation. In addition, we found extensive inhibition of both f-actin and Con A cap formation. These effects of HCCH on cell function were associated with marked increases of [Ca2+]i. This work suggests that non-receptor-mediated increases of [Ca2+]i associated with HCCH have divergent effects on cell function and suggests that physiologic responses of PMNs requiring cytoskeletal alterations, such as chemotaxis, depend on the controlled responses of receptor-mediated stimulation.     

Removal of endobronchial foreign body by fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

A relatively large foreign body (ham bone) was seen in the left upper lobe bronchus of a 25-year-old woman and was successfully extracted with the use of a standard fiberoptic bronchoscope. Although the removal of foreign bodies by the fiberoptic bronchoscope has serious technical limitations, the use of this instrument should be considered when the foreign body is not within range of the rigid bronchoscope.     

Part of the activating cross-linked immunoglobulin G is internalized by human platelets to sites not accessible for enzymatic digestion

The differential uptake of tritium-labeled immunoglobulin G (IgG) cross- linked with bisdiazonium-benzidine (BDB) (3H-BDB-IgG) by washed, pooled human platelets to sites inaccessible to pronase digestion was tested. Up to 52% of the 3H-BDB-IgG associated with platelets at 37 degrees C resisted pronase treatment, whereas only 23% of the cross-linked IgG associated with platelets at 4 degrees C, or at 37 degrees C but in the presence of deoxyglucose/antimycin A, remained refractory to pronase. This effect was not due to platelet agglutination. Pronase resistance reached a maximum after a 60-minute incubation period at 37 degrees C. With increasing 3H-BDB-IgG input, both the total cross-linked IgG associated with platelets and the fraction resistant to pronase digestion approached saturation at 4 degrees C, but not at 37 degrees C. The proportion of 3H-BDB-IgG bound to platelets at 4 degrees C that was resistant to pronase treatment increased by 13% within five minutes of warming the platelets to 37 degrees C. Pretreatment of platelets with 10 mmol/L acetylsalicylic acid (or 10 mumol/L prostaglandin E1) prior to the addition of 3H-BDB-IgG led to a 74% (95%) inhibition of the 3H-BDB-IgG-induced 14C-serotonin release, but to only a 44% (49%) inhibition of pronase-digestible bound ligand. In contrast, pretreatment with 10 mumol/L cytochalasin B led to a mere 17% reduction of 14C-serotonin release, whereas acquisition of resistance to pronase digestion by the bound 3H-BDB-IgG was inhibited by 90%. Incubation of platelets at 37 degrees C with 3H-BDB-IgG and removal of unbound material prior to the addition of prostaglandin E1 or deoxyglucose/antimycin A had little effect on the susceptibility of platelet-associated 3H-BDB-IgG to pronase, whereas the addition of cytochalasin B to 3H-BDB-IgG-treated platelets resulted in greatly increased susceptibility of the platelet-associated ligand to pronase. Thus, after binding, 3H-BDB-IgG becomes transferred in an energy- dependent process to pronase-resistant cellular sites, most likely to the open canalicular system.     

A profound case of neurally mediated syncope with asystole after septoplasty

Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is an alarming yet benign condition that may present postoperatively for the first time in otherwise healthy patients. Although VVS is associated anecdotally with nasal manipulation, no data have been found to quantify this incidence with otolaryngology surgeries. We present a case of profound, recurrent syncope and documented asystole with an initial diagnosis of glossopharyngeal neuralgia. We conclude with a discussion of neurally mediated syncope particular to the perioperative setting. It is essential to recognize neurocardiogenic etiology to differentiate it from other more concerning causes of syncope and asystole.     

Adhesion of eukaryotic cells and Staphylococcus aureus to silicon model surfaces

Silicon wafers modified by silanisation with different functional groups are used to study the bioactivity of surfaces with varying physicochemical properties. Oxidation of the wafers created very hydrophilic surfaces, and moderately wettable surfaces were produced by coating with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Immobilization of hydrocarbon chains to the wafers produced hydrophobic surfaces, and hydrophobicity was further increased by fluorocarbon coatings. The oxidized and the hydrocarbon-modified surfaces supported the adhesion of human MG-63 osteoblasts and 3T3 mouse fibroblasts as well as Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4. Adhesion of osteoblasts and fibroblasts, however, was decreased on highly hydrophobic fluorocarbon surfaces, whereas adhesion of S. aureus was supported. Coating of the fluorocarbon surface with fibronectin increased the number of attached eukaryotic cells, but the accumulation of bacteria remained unchanged. In contrast, surface coatings with PEG-groups inhibited the binding of S. aureus; however, the adhesion of the eukaryotic cells was high. The number of S. aureus on PEG-modified surfaces covered with fibronectin increased about twofold, yet it was still decreased to 25-30% related to the number of bacteria on other surfaces. These findings provide evidence that the PEG-modified surfaces showed selective bioactivity, preventing the attachment of a microbial pathogen but supporting the adhesion of eukaryotic cells.     

Th2-dependent disappearance and phenotypic conversion of mouse alveolar macrophages

Alveolar macrophages (alvMs) play an important role for maintenance of lung function by constant removal of cellular debris in the alveolar space. They further contribute to defense against microbial or viral infections and limit tissue damage during acute lung injury. alvMs arise from embryonic progenitor cells, seed the alveoli before birth, and have life-long self-renewing capacity. However, recruited monocytes may also help to restore the alvM population after depletion caused by toxins or influenza virus infection. At present, the population dynamics and cellular plasticity of alvMs during allergic lung inflammation is poorly defined. To address this point, we used a mouse model of Aspergillus fumigatus-induced allergic lung inflammation and observed that Th2-derived IL-4 and IL-13 caused almost complete disappearance of alvMs. This effect required STAT6 expression in alvMs and also occurred in various other settings of type 2 immunity-mediated lung inflammation or administration of IL-4 complexes to the lung. In addition, Th2 cells promoted conversion of alvMs to alternatively activated macrophages and multinucleated giant cells. Given the well-established role of alvMs for maintenance of lung function, this process may have implications for resolution of inflammation and tissue homeostasis in allergic asthma.     

A scoping review of pediatric transplant education

Background

Education is crucial for pediatric patients and caregivers throughout the transplant continuum, yet data are lacking around which interventions are effective and in what circumstances.

Methods

We undertook a scoping review with the objectives of (a) describing the types, effects, and outcomes of patient-focused educational interventions before and after pediatric transplant and (b) understanding the educational experiences of patients and caregivers. Five scientific databases were explored for relevant literature using the JBI methodology. Educational interventions published in English, targeting pediatric solid organ transplant patients (0–25 years) and their caregivers were included. Relevant data from eligible articles (n = 27) were extracted and summarized.

Results

Eighteen articles describing 17 educational interventions were identified for objective A, and nine articles qualitatively assessing patient or parental learning needs were identified for objective B. Most interventions were directed toward teenage patients and their caregivers post kidney transplant, primarily focusing on medication self-management and adherence, or providing general information on transplant using multicomponent delivery formats. Most interventions achieved statistically significant improvements in knowledge (n = 8/9) and patients or caregivers expressed satisfaction with the intervention (n = 7/7) but health-related outcomes such as medication adherence (n = 2/6) or behavior change (n = 1/3) rarely achieved statistically significant results. In objective B, patients and caregivers described the transplant process as overwhelming, but indicated that social supports and education helped them cope. Participants consistently wanted more information than they received.

Conclusion

Caregivers and pediatric patients value transplant education, but high-quality studies are limited. Since education is a fundamental part of the transplant process, future research in this area should be prioritized.