Evaluation of MRI for in vivo monitoring of retinal damage and detachment in experimental ocular inflammation

Two quantitative methods were developed for investigation of the potential of MRI for in vivo monitoring of retinal damage and detachment in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Measurements of retinal thickness and detachment area were performed on matched MR and histologic (HIST) images of rat eyes at different stages of EAU. In vivo MR images of rat eyes were acquired at 4.7 T using a figure‐of‐eight surface coil and a spin echo pulse sequence. Ex vivo measurements were performed on HIST images acquired using a digital camera attached to a microscope. MR images mirrored the HIST appearance of inflamed eyes at each stage of disease. Retinal detachments as small as 0.1 mm² were measured in vivo by MRI and confirmed in the same eye ex vivo by histology. Measurements performed on corresponding MR and HIST images demonstrated a good agreement between the two techniques. The potential of MRI for in vivo visualization and for monitoring changes in the eye during development of EAU was demonstrated in this study. Magn Reson Med 53:61–68, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Trends in knowledge of emergency contraception among women in California, 1999-2004.

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in knowledge of emergency contraception (EC) and determine whether disparities in knowledge have persisted over time. STUDY DESIGN: This study is based on 6 years of the California Women's Health Survey, a population-based telephone survey. We examine predictors of EC knowledge among 11,998 women age 18-44. RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2004, the percentage of women aware of EC increased from 40-57%. Despite this increase, disparities in EC knowledge based on women's age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status persist. Foreign-born Hispanic women, women whose income falls below the poverty level, and women who did not complete high school reported the lowest levels of EC knowledge in 2004. CONCLUSIONS: Education efforts may increase overall knowledge of the method. However, efforts must tailor these messages to women who may be outside the reach of traditional media and remain unaware of EC.     

Historical overview of key issues in food safety.

Foodborne transmission of pathogenic and toxigenic microorganisms has been a recognized hazard for decades. Even half a century ago we knew about the dangers of botulism from underprocessed canned foods; staphylococcal poisoning from unrefrigerated cream-filled pastries, sliced ham, meat, and poultry salads; and salmonellosis from infected animal products. Despite new protective measures, changes in preservation techniques and failure to follow recognized procedures have created new dangers. Moreover, we now recognize new organisms that can cause foodborne illness--Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Campylobacter jejuni, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Yersinia enterocolitica, and others. Controlling these organisms will require widespread education and possibly new regulatory initiatives.     

Murine monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies penetrate cells, bind to nuclei, and induce glomerular proliferation and proteinuria in vivo.

The production of relatively high quantities of autoantibodies (autoAb) that react with DNA and other intranuclear antigens is characteristic of individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. However, the capacity of these Ab to penetrate cells and induce functional perturbations in vivo is not well appreciated. To address this issue, monoclonal (m) anti-DNA Ab (mAb), derived from MRL-lpr/lpr and (NZB x SWR)F1 mice, were administered to normal mice, and the animals were examined for morphologic and functional abnormalities. A subset of five mAb produced intranuclear immunoglobulin deposits in multiple organs. Intranuclear immunoglobulin deposits were also observed after cross-linking the tissue before direct immunofluorescence and after i.v. injection of F(ab')2 fragments of one anti-DNA Ab. This phenomenon was reproducible and was only associated with this subset of autoAb. Furthermore, intranuclear deposits of anti-DNA Ab within glomeruli were associated with morphologic and functional abnormalities including: hypercellularity, epithelial foot process fusion, new fiber bundle formation within the mesangium suggestive of new collagen synthesis, and proteinuria. These results indicate that a subset of autoAb may penetrate cells in vivo to influence normal cellular and nuclear function and to contribute to functional and pathologic abnormalities in individuals with systemic lupus.     

The Effects of Progressive Abstinence from Alcohol on Red Blood Cell Proton NMR Relaxation Times and Water Content

Red blood cell proton relaxation times T1 and T2 were measured in samples from chronic alcoholic patients abstinent for varying periods from 1 week to over 6 months. T1 and T2 were elevated in the early stages of abstinence and declined to the values of controls after 8 weeks. Changes in the water content of the red blood cells and the mean corpuscular volume paralleled these changes but were more closely associated with T2. It is suggested that T1 and T2 may reflect different aspects in water content and free-to-bound ratio of water. The significance of these findings is discussed in the context of changes previously observed in the brains of alcoholic patients, and in rats fed a diet supplemented with alcohol for 6 months.     

Neuroprotective effects of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein ligand inhibitors in vitro and in vivo.

The role of brain insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in neuroprotection was further investigated using in vitro and in vivo models of cerebral ischemia by assessing the effects of IGF-I, IGF-II, and high affinity IGFBP ligand inhibitors (the peptide [Leu24, 59, 60, Ala31]hIGF-I (IGFBP-LI) and the small molecule NBI-31772 (1-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-3-hydroxycarbonyl-6, 7-dihydroxyisoquinoline), which pharmacologically displace and elevate endogenous, bioactive IGFs from IGFBPs. Treatment with IGF-I, IGF-II, or IGFBP-LI (2 microg/mL) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced CA1 damage in organotypic hippocampal cultures resulting from 35 minutes of oxygen and glucose deprivation by 71%, 60%, and 40%, respectively. In the subtemporal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of focal ischemia, intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of IGF-I and IGF-II at the time of artery occlusion reduced ischemic brain damage in a dose-dependent manner, with maximum reductions in total infarct size of 37% (P < 0.01) and 38% (P < 0.01), respectively. In this model of MCAO, i.c.v. administration of NBI-31772 at the time of ischemia onset also dose-dependently reduced infarct size, and the highest dose (100 microg) significantly reduced both total (by 40%, P < 0.01) and cortical (by 43%, P < 0.05) infarct volume. In the intraluminal suture MCAO model, administration of NBI-31772 (50 microg i.c.v.) at the time of artery occlusion reduced both cortical infarct volume (by 40%, P < 0.01) and brain swelling (by 24%, P < 0.05), and it was still effective when treatment was delayed up to 3 hours after the induction of ischemia. These results further define the neuroprotective properties of IGFs and IGFBP ligand inhibitors in experimental models of cerebral ischemia.     

Periampullary duodenal diverticulum in a patient undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Summary Duodenal diverticulae are acquired lesions usually found near the papilla of Vater and associated with significant symptoms. We present a case of a patient with obstructive jaundice who had a diverticulum and cholelithiasis. The management of this scenario is explained in the era of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.