High-resolution imaging of progressive articular cartilage degeneration.

The objective of this study was to develop and verify a new technique for monitoring the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) by combining a rat model with the imaging modality optical coherence tomography (OCT). Time-sequential, in vivo, OCT imaging was performed on the left femoral condyles of 12 Wistar rats following sodium-iodoacetic acid-induced OA progression. The right femoral condyles (untreated) were also imaged and served as controls. Imaging was performed on days 0, 10, 20, 30, and 60 with an OCT system capable of acquiring images at four frames per second and an axial resolution of 5 microm. Progressive changes were analyzed using an OA scoring system. OCT successfully identified progressive cartilage degeneration as well as alteration of the cartilage/bone interface. Significant changes to both of these structures were observed in the sodium-iodoacetic acid-injected condyles. Structural changes detected with OCT were confirmed histologically. OCT in combination with a well-known model used in arthritis research represents a powerful tool for following degenerative joint disease progression in a given animal by detecting changes to the cartilage/bone interface and articular cartilage.     

A Randomized Pilot Study of Behavioral Treatment to Increase Calorie Intake in Toddlers With Cystic Fibrosis

This pilot study examined a behavioral treatment to increase calorie intake in toddlers with cystic fibrosis. Eight toddlers were randomly assigned to behavioral plus nutrition (BEH) or nutrition intervention (NTR) conditions. Calorie intake and weight were measured at pre- and posttreatment. The BEH group showed a trend for changes in calorie intake pre- to posttreatment (p = .07; 40% increase). Results for the BEH and NTR groups did not differ significantly. Most participants achieved weight gains consistent with normal growth. Seventy-five percent had not shown this pattern during the year prior to intervention. These results support the feasibility and potential for behavioral interventions in this age group.     

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy directlythrough an angiomyolipoma

We present a patient with tuberous sclerosis and bilateral angiomyolipomaswith a right partial staghorn calculi in which the calculi was managed with a percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Despite the inherent risk of hemorrhage with a percutaneous approach compounded by the fact that this was done directly through a tumor, we were able to render the patient stone free with no intraoperative bleeding, complications, or the need for postoperative blood transfusion. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of percutaneous nephrolithotomy directly through a renal angiomyolipoma.     

Cytochemical characteristics of neurons in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus of hatchling chicks

The goal of the present study was to identify cytochemical markers characteristic of muscle afferents in hatchling chicks. To this end, we stained neurons in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus with a variety of markers that label subsets of neurons in avian dorsal root ganglia. We found that trigeminal mesencephalic neurons are surprisingly heterogeneous in their cytochemical make-up, expressing, to varying degrees, substance P, cholecystokinin, carbonic anhydrase, calbindin D-28k, parvalbumin, and S-100β. Calbindin D28k and S-100β appeared to be expressed equally in medial and lateral divisions of the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus. In contrast, substance P- and cholecystokinin-immunoreactive neurons were more abundant in the medial division, whereas carbonic anhydrase activity and parvalbumin immunoreactivity were stronger in the lateral division. We were unable to detect met-enkephalin, neuropeptide Y, calcitonin gene-related peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, somatostatin, γ-aminobutyric acid, or tyrosine hydroxylase in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus. Moreover, these neurons did not appear to bind the lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin. The heterogeneity of expression of markers among trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus neurons, especially between neurons in the medial and lateral divisions, suggests that these neurons are functionally diverse.     

Evaluation of non-invasive blood pressure measurement by the Finapres method at rest and during dynamic exercise in subjects with cardiovascular insufficiency

The accuracy and precision of the Finapres in recording rest and exercise blood pressure compared with the intra-arterial (aortic and brachial) and random-zero sphygmomanometer methods was assessed in 84 ischaemic patients in three different studies. Firstly, comparison at rest with the aortic intraarterial pressure in 50 ischaemic patients demonstrated that the Finapres systolic (136.5 ± 21.1 vs. 129.3 ± 19.0 mmHg;p < 0.001) and mean (92.4 ± 13.4 vs. 90.7 ± 11.4 mmHg;p < 0.001) arterial pressures were higher and diastolic pressures lower (70.4 ± 11.5 vs. 71.5 ± 9.8 mmHg;p < 0.001). The reproducibility of the Finapres and invasive method was similar for systolic (4.6% vs. 4.0%), diastolic (2.8% vs. 2.7%) and mean (3.3% vs. 3.0%) blood pressures. Second, in seven subjects studied twice at rest and during 4 min supine bicycle exercise, the exercise increase in blood pressure was greater on the Finapres compared with the brachial intra-arterial pressure (systolic +10.2 ± 6.3 vs. +3.6 ± 9.8 mmHg; diastolic +9.6 ± 11.1 vs. +0.2 ± 2.1 mmHg;p = 0.02 for each); however, at steady-state the peak/trough differences in pressure between the methods were similar. Thirdly, compared under rest conditions, to random zero sphygmomanometer (RZO), the Finapres systolic pressure was higher (6.8 ± 3.5 mmHg) and diastolic pressure lower (–6.0 ± 1.9 mmHg). During upright bicycle exercise, the difference between the Finapres and RZO in systolic blood pressure increased at each level of exercise (+14.3 ± 4.2, +17.9 ± 4.0 and +22.2 ± 4.1 mmHg respectively at each exercise stage:p < 0.01). For RZO, diastolic blood pressure fell as exercise workload increased whereas Finapres diastolic blood pressure increased on exercise (3.1 ± 2.6, 7.0 ± 2.1 and 8.1 ± 2.0 mmHg respectively:p < 0.01). Thus there were systematic differences between the values recorded by the Finapres and proximal blood pressure methods and limited agreement in the rest to exercise increments related to light exercise. Calibration of the Finapres values in terms of the other methods is limited by the variable relationship to these related changes in arterial distensibility.