<Emphasis Type="Italic">TCF7L2</Emphasis>variant genotypes and type 2 diabetes risk in Brazil: significant association,but not a significant tool for risk stratification in the general population

Background  

Genetic polymorphisms of the TCF7L2 gene are strongly associated with large increments in type 2 diabetes risk in different populations worldwide. In this study, we aimed to confirm the effect of the TCF7L2 polymorphism rs7903146 on diabetes risk in a Brazilian population and to assess the use of this genetic marker in improving diabetes risk prediction in the general population.     

Effects of social factors on adrenal weight and related physiology of Macaca fascicularis

Increased adrenal cortical activity and hypertrophy of adrenal glands associated with defeat and social subordination have been reported frequently in small mammals; these adrenal changes have been linked to impairments in immune response, glucose metabolism and reproductive performance. Similar studies in primates have produced variable results. The current study was undertaken to illuminate the effects of social status on the adrenal gland and to examine concurrent effects of social variables on other physiological systems in Macaca fascicularis, in an initial exploration of the hypothesis that high and low social status have different physiological consequences. Sixty adult male M. fascicularis were housed in social groups of n = 5, under either stable or unstable social conditions. It was found that subordinate animals had heavier adrenal glands and somewhat higher plasma glucose concentrations than dominants. In contrast, dominants had higher blood pressure and worsened atherosclerosis, under some conditions, than subordinates. These data appear to offer preliminary support for Henry and Stephen's hypothesis of differential arousal of dominant and subordinate animals.     

Reliability of the acetabular teardrop as a landmark

Summary This study investigated the effect of tilt and observer reliability on radiographic measurements of the position of a prosthetic acetabular cup in seven dry bone pelves using the teardrop as a landmark. Coronal or sagittal tilt of more than five degrees was easily recognisable and there was effectively no observer variation in the measurements up to this limit. In addition, 90 out of 100 randomly selected antero-posterior pelvic radiographs from an outpatient department were not significantly rotated and 93 demonstrated a clearly defined teardrop. Measurements about the teardrop on routine radiographs are therefore sufficiently accurate to allow assessment of prosthetic position.

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La valeur du sourcil cotyloidien comme repère d'analyse radiologique

Résumé Cette étude, conduite sur 7 bassins secs, apprécie l'effet de l'inclinaison du bassin sur la qualité de l'analyse radiographique de la position d'une cupule prothétique de hanche en utilisant le sourcil cotyloïdien comme repère. Une inclinaison du bassin dans les plans coronal et sagittal est aisément détectable et il n'existe pas de variation d'analyse entre les différents observateurs en dessous de 5° d'inclinaison. De plus, sur 100 radiographies antéro-postérieures de bassin choisies au hasard dans les dossiers de consultation, 90 avaient été réalisées sans incidence particulièrement adaptée et l'on pouvait repérer facilement le sourcil sur 93% d'entre elles. Les mesures faites sur des radios de routine sont donc suffisamment précises pour permettre l'évaluation de la position d'une prothèse à partir du sourcil cotyloïdien.

     

Osteosarcomatosis

A review of the 690 cases of osteosarcoma in the radiographic file of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology revealed 29 cases of "osteosarcomatosis" (multiple skeletal sites of osteosarcoma). Fifteen of these patients were 18 years old and under and manifested rapidly appearing, usually symmetric, sclerotic metaphyseal lesions. The remaining 14 patients were more than 18 years old and had fewer, asymmetric sclerotic lesions. In most patients (28 of 29), a radiographically dominant skeletal tumor was seen. Pulmonary metastases occurred in the majority of patients and were detected at the same time as the bone lesions. These 29 patients were studied with regard to demographic data and skeletal distribution and radiographic appearance of their lesions. As a result of the findings, a metastatic origin from a primary dominant osteosarcoma is favored over a multifocal origin as the basis for osteosarcomatosis. Osteosarcomatosis is more commonly encountered in the mature skeleton than has been previously recognized.     

Characterization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions Prepared from Solid-State Emulsions: Effect of Matrix and Oil Phase

Emulsions (o/w) were prepared from solid-state emulsions comprised of various matrix materials and oils and the resultant particle size properties determined. Results suggest that for those matrices that can form solid-state emulsions, the droplet size decreased as a function of time, as previously observed. The final droplet size was dependent on the oil utilized but was independent of the matrix material. The use of mineral oil resulted in the smallest droplet diameter (1.5 µm) while isopropyl myristate resulted in the largest droplet diameter (3 µm). With the exception of mineral oil, the oil/water interfacial tension was found to be directly proportional to the droplet diameter. The rate of emulsification appeared to be bi-phasic. The initial emulsification phase appeared to be independent of the matrix material while the terminal phase was a function of the matrix material. Most importantly, it was found that solid state emulsions could be prepared from a diverse, yet specific, list of matrices.     

Marrow regeneration after mechanical depletion

The origin of marrow regeneration after mechanical depletion was reinvestigated in mouse chimeras. The results were compatible with the local origin of stem cells from remnants of incompletely removed marrow, but not with their origin from a common precursor of both bone and hemopoietic cell lines. In transplanted femurs depleted by a modified technique of in vivo evacuation of marrow, hemopoietic regeneration failed to occur. The presence of hemopoietic stem cells in the Haversian canals was thus excluded. The demonstration of ample hemopoiesis with minimal bone formation in nondepleted controls in which bone marrow initially became necrotic provided new evidence that osteogenesis was not a prerequisite of hemopoietic regeneration.     

Evaluation of neurodevelopmental outcome in highrisk infants in Australia

An understanding of the neurodevelopmental outcome of long-term survivors of neonatal intensive care is essential for the informed management of preterm or high risk infants. This annotation looks at the current status of neonatal follow-up services in Australasia and highlights problems in the collection and interpretation of data. It suggests that we should work towards achieving a consensus on standard definitions and test regimes and on national data collection.