Morphological analysis of the acute effects of overdistension on the extracellular matrix of the rat urinary bladder wall.

PURPOSE: To investigate the morphological effects of acute overdistension in the structure of the extracellular matrix of the bladder wall in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bladders of a group of 6 male Wistar rats were transurethrally overdistended for 3 hours. Another identical group (the control group) was only submitted to a sham operation. Specimens from the bladder dome were analyzed with light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: LM--The control group bladders had a 4 to 5 layer urothelium, a lamina propria, and a smooth muscle layer with longitudinal and transversal fibers. The overdistended bladders presented an intense interstitial infiltrate in the lamina propria, and a less intense infiltrate among the smooth muscle fibers. TEM--The cells of the overdistended bladders had a significant amount of vacuoles, unlike the control bladders, where such vacuoles were scarce or absent. SEM--A delicate three-dimensional mesh of collagen fibrils was observed in the lamina propria of the bladder walls from the control group. Whilst for the control group this mesh consisted of distinct geometric structures, with mostly circular cellular spaces surrounded by the fibrils, the overdistended group showed evidence of distortion of the mesh, with flattened and elongated cellular spaces. CONCLUSIONS: Acute bladder overdistension induces structural modifications, altering the arrangement and interaction of collagen fibrils, as well as incipient tissue damage as edema in the lamina propria and smooth muscle layers.     

Regular physical activity increases glutathione peroxidase activity in adolescents with Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to determine the influence of a 12-week exercise program on the activity of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in adolescents with Down syndrome. DESIGN: An interventional study with before-after comparison. SETTING: Sport Medicine School, University of Cadiz (Andalusia, Spain). PATIENTS: Thirty-one male adolescents (16.3+/-1.1) with Down syndrome. None of them suffered acute medical problems at that moment and had not taken part in any physical activity program in the last 6 months. INTERVENTION: A 12-week training program with 3 days per week, consisting of warm up (15 min) followed by a main part (20 to 35 min) at a work intensity of 60% to 75% of peak heart rate (HRmax=194.5-[0.56xage]) and by a cool-down period (10 min). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Erythrocyte activity of GPX. RESULTS: Preexercise and postexercise GPX activity in adolescents with Down syndrome were 24.8+/-3.1 [23.1 to 26.5] U/g hemoglobin and 29.3+/-2.9 [28.1 to 30.5] U/g hemoglobin, respectively. When compared with baseline values it was increased significantly (24.8+/-3.1 vs. 29.3+/-2.9; P=0.011). CONCLUSION: Regular exercise increased significantly GPX activity. Further studies are required to assess the behavior of other antioxidant enzymes to highlight potential benefits of regular exercise in redox metabolism.     

Limiting behaviour during the hydroperoxide ion generation in a flow alkaline fuel cell

A comparative study of an O₂-diffusion cathode and a H₂-diffusion anode has been performed to ascertain the limiting processes, when they are combined in a flow alkaline fuel cell with hydroperoxide ion generation. The linear sweep voltammograms and the impedance diagrams of both electrodes show large differences. The cathode reaction is charge transfer-controlled up to current densities of at least 1 A cm^?2, whereas the dissociative adsorption, charge transfer and diffusion of H₂ appear to limit the anode reaction. The anode, with limiting current densities of about 90 and 150 mA cm^?2 for 1.0 and 6.0 M KOH, respectively, then clearly controls the hydroperoxide ion production in the fuel cell. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal that, the carbon of the H₂-diffusion anode does not undergo significant oxygen functionalisation during hydroperoxide ion generation in the fuel cell.     

Comment on the 'pilot' GRACIA-2 randomized trial: reply

We thank Dr Villata et al. for their thought-provoking comments.Their concern about the suitableness to choose combined endpointsin clinical trials deserves some comment.     

Octyl-2-Cyanoacrylate Liquid Bandage as a Wound Dressing in Facial Excisional Surgery: Results of an Uncontrolled Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Although cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives are frequently used in the closure of cutaneous lacerations and excisions, only a few reports comment on their usefulness as a dressing over sutured wounds. A new formulation of octyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Liquid Bandage; BAND-AID, Johnson & Johnson) is used as an occlusive protective film over minor cuts and scrapes. OBJECTIVE: An uncontrolled pilot study to assess the safety, efficacy, and cost of Liquid Bandage as an occlusive dressing over sutured facial excisions. METHODS: Patients undergoing excision of facial neoplasms were recruited. After conventional layered repair, Liquid Bandage was applied. On suture removal, the wounds were photographed and evaluated by three dermatologists, who assigned an overall outcome rating. The average cost of Liquid Bandage and routine wound care materials was calculated based on prices from three different pharmacies. RESULTS: Of the 18 wounds available at follow-up, 17 were assigned an overall outcome rating of good or excellent by at least one of the evaluators. Eleven wounds received an excellent rating from at least two of the evaluators. One case of distal flap necrosis occurred. Liquid Bandage proved to be less expensive than routine postsurgical wound care materials. CONCLUSIONS: Liquid Bandage dressing is safe and effective over sutured facial excisions.     

Changes in microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) expression during development and after status epilepticus in the immature rat hippocampus

In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal expression patterns of the high-molecular weight (MAP2a and b) and low-molecular weight (MAP2c and d) cytoskeletal microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) isoforms with Western blotting, and the cellular localization of the high-molecular weight MAP2 isoforms with immunocytochemistry in the hippocampi of 1- to 21-day-old rats. Moreover, the temporal profile (from 30 min to 1 week) of MAP2 isoform reactivity to kainic acid-induced status epilepticus was studied in P9 rats. During development, the expression of the high-molecular weight MAP2 isoforms significantly increased, while the low-molecular weight isoforms decreased, the most prominent changes occurring during the second postnatal week. This developmental increase in the high-molecular weight MAP2 expression was also confirmed with immunocytochemistry, which showed increased immunoreactivity, particularly in the molecular layers of the dentate gyrus, and in CA1 and CA3 stratum radiatum. In 9-day-old rats, status epilepticus resulted in a rapid transient increase (about 210%) in the high-molecular weight MAP2 expression, without any effect on the low-molecular weight MAP2. Moreover, disturbed dendritic structure in the CA1 and CA3 stratum radiatum was manifested as formation of varicosities 3h after the kainic acid treatment. The strictly developmentally regulated MAP2 isoform expression suggests different functional roles for these proteins during the postnatal development in the rat hippocampus. Moreover, high-molecular weight MAP2s may play a role in nerve cell survival during cell stress.