Ultrastructural localization of SNAP-25 within the rat spinal cord and peripheral nervous system

Synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) has been implicated in the membrane fusion machinery of neurotransmitter release and axonal growth. Using immunocytochemistry, we have analyzed the distribution and ultrastructural localization of SNAP-25 in selected areas of the central and peripheral nervous systems of adult rats. We show that the protein is specifically expressed in the trans face of the Golgi apparatus and in the axonal compartment. In axons and nerve endings, SNAP-25 is localized to discrete areas of the membranes of most organelles such as the axoplasmic reticulum, the axolemma, the outer membrane of mitochondria and synaptic vesicles. This wide distribution of SNAP-25 suggests that the protein is involved in the fusion of membranes in the whole axonal compartment of neurons. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Heel flap injuries in motorcycle accidents

Thirteen cases of heel flap injuries following motorcycle spoke accidents have been analysed. The injuries have been graded into three Grades (I, II and III) depending upon the severity and extent of the injury to the foot. The different forms of management are outlined. Most of the injuries have been confined to the right side because of poor assembly of the rear wheel of the motorcycle. Inadequate footwear is a contributory factor. It is urged that protective footwear be made compulsory for both the driver and the pillion passenger. Changes should also be made in the design of the rear wheels of motorcycles.     

Right atrial ultrastructure in congenital heart disease. I. Comparison of ventricular septal defect and endocardial cushion defect

Ultrastructural studies were performed on portions of the operatively resected right atrium from six patients with a ventricular septal defect and six patients with an endocardial cushion defect. The six patients with a ventricular septal defect had normal right atrial mean pressure and no evidence of right atrial volume overload. Ultrastructurally, the atrial muscle cells in these patients appeared normal and measured 6 to 12 μ in diameter. The six patients with an endocardial cushion defect had elevated right atrial mean pressure and evidence of right atrial volume overload. Ultrastructurally, the atrial muscle cells in these patients were generally larger than 12 μ in diameter. The cells were irregular and had multiple and occasionally widened intercalated discs. In addition, there were degenerative changes in two patients with markedly increased atrial pressure. These changes included extensive loss of contractile elements, aggregation of small irregular mitochondria and proliferation of tubules of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The structural changes suggest that hypertrophy of the right atrium may be secondary to volume overload of the atrium, whereas degenerative changes may be secondary to increased right atrial pressure.     

Anthropometric characteristics, dietary patterns and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Vietnam

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of anthropometric characteristics and dietary patterns on Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Vietnam. METHODS: Data from 144 subjects (9m/39f newly diagnosed diabetics; 18m/78f control subjects) were analyzed in this case-control study. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences and percent body fat were measured. Dietary intakes were assessed by 24-hour recall on three non-consecutive weekdays. Fasting blood samples were collected for the analysis of plasma glucose, fructosamine, protein and lipid concentrations. RESULTS: Although the body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) was similar between diabetic and control subjects, diabetic subjects had significantly greater percent body fat (31.1 +/- 5.8% vs. 27.7 +/- 6.2%) and waist-hip ratios (WHR, 0.91 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.86 +/- 0.08). Diabetic subjects had higher intakes of protein (p < 0.01), especially animal protein (p < 0.001), and consumed more meat (p < 0.01) than control subjects. Percent body fat and WHR were positively associated with diabetes (odds ratios [OR] 1.53 [95%CI 1.29-1.79] and 1.09 [95% CI 0.89-1.58], respectively) as were protein intake (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.12-1.31]) and animal protein intake (OR 1.18 [95% CI 1.10-1.26]). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that percent body fat and WHR are risk factors associated with diabetes even when the BMI is normal. Evolving dietary patterns with increasingly more protein and meat consumption may also contribute to the deterioration of glucose metabolism among Vietnamese people.     

Assessment of bioaerosols and inhalable dust exposure in Swiss sawmills

An assessment of wood workers' exposure to airborne cultivable bacteria, fungi, inhalable endotoxins and inhalable organic dust was performed at 12 sawmills that process mainly coniferous wood species. In each plant, samples were collected at four or five different work sites (debarking, sawing, sorting, planing and sawing cockpit) and the efficiency of sampling devices (impinger or filter) for determining endotoxins levels was evaluated. Results show that fungi are present in very high concentrations (up to 35 000 CFU m(-3)) in all sawmills. We also find that there are more bioaerosols at the sorting work site (mean +/- SD: 7723 +/- 9919 CFU m(-3) for total bacteria, 614 +/- 902 CFU m(-3) for Gram-negative, 19 438 +/- 14 246 CFU m(-3) for fungi, 7.0 +/- 9.0 EU m(-3) for endotoxin and 2.9 +/- 4.8 g m(-3) for dust) than at the sawing station (mean +/- SD: 1938 +/- 2478 CFU m(-3) for total bacteria, 141 +/- 206 CFU m(-3) for Gram-negative, 12 207 +/- 10 008 CFU m(-3) for fungi, 2.1 +/- 1.9 EU m(-3) for endotoxin and 0.75 +/- 0.49 mg m(-3) for dust). At the same time, the species composition and concentration of airborne Gram-negative bacteria were studied. Penicillinium sp. were the predominant fungi, while Bacillus sp. and the Pseudomonadacea family were the predominant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria encountered, respectively.     

The metabolic syndrome: prevalence and risk factors in the urban population of Ho Chi Minh City

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MeS) and its risk factors in urban population of Ho Chi Minh City. A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban areas of Ho Chi Minh City with 611 participants. The demographic, socio-economic details, anthropometric indexes and blood pressure were recorded. A fasting blood sample was collected for the analyses of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). MeS was defined by presence of three or more of the following components: abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-cholesterolemia, high blood pressure and high fasting plasma glucose. The crude prevalence of MeS was 18.5% (95% CI: 15.5-21.9). After age, sex standardization, this prevalence was 12.0% (95% CI: 10.9-13.2). The prevalence increased with age and sedentary work. Subjects with MeS had significantly higher body fat percentage than that of normal subjects. Metabolic syndrome showed a positive association with age, body fat percentage and sedentary occupation. This first study on MeS showed that 12% adults in urban areas of Ho Chi Minh City had metabolic syndrome. It suggests that MeS is becoming a noteworthy health problem in Vietnam and to the early detection and appropriate intervention as well as healthy lifestyle education programs need to be established.