ATM, an unexpected new target in metabolic syndrome

ATM-dependent suppression of stress signaling reduces vascular disease in metabolic syndrome
Schneider et al. (2006)
Cell Metabolism: 4 (5): 377–389     

Work in progress: the application of temporal filtering techniques to hybrid subtraction in digital subtraction angiography

Temporal filtering methods were applied to iodine signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) restoration in intravenous hybrid subtraction digital subtraction angiography (DSA). For equal detected exposure rates hybrid subtraction had approximately 35% of the SNR of temporal subtraction. When matched filtering was applied to a DSA run, the filtered result had approximately two times higher SNR than the peak contrast image in the run. Thus, when matched filtering techniques were applied to the hybrid image sequence, the resultant SNR increased to about 70% of that of temporal subtraction. With an additional factor-of-two increase in exposure rate for the hybrid run, SNR parity with temporal subtraction could be achieved. This compared with a factor-of-nine increase in exposure that would be required if no filtering were performed. Experimental hybrid matched filter results, generated with intravenous canine DSA studies, supported the predictions in SNR performance.     

Xenon arc photocoagulation for treatment of subluxation of lens.

In the treatment of congenital or acquired subluxation of the lens a conservative approach to reposition the pupil in front of the aphakic area by the use of the xenon arc photocoagulator is emphasised. The management of two cases of subluxation is discussed in detail and the results evaluated. The ease of repositioning the pupil by means of iris photocoagulation and the absence of surgical complications are indications for the use of this non-invasive procedure in the treatment of subluxated lenses.     

Risk-stratified nosocomial infection surveillance in a neonatal intensive care unit: Report on 24 months of surveillance

Objective : To document the nosocomial infection rate in a single neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in terms of patient workload and device utilization.
Methodology : Nosocomial infections have been identified and documented by the methodology described by the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (NNIS), Centres for Disease Control, Atlanta. In addition, antibiotic usage has been surveyed in the NICU and standardized measures of patient exposure to antibiotics stratified by birthweight and gestational age have been described.
Results : Overall nosocomial infection rates compared favourably with the published NNIS figures at 6.2 infections per 100 admissions or 4.8 per 1000 patient days. Infection rates were significantly higher in lower birthweight groups. Device-related infection rates in each birthweight cohort were also very close to published figures and varied less with birthweight group. Antibiotic exposure averaged 12% of total admission days, less than previously published data.
Conclusions : The NNIS system is applicable to Australian NICU and provides an effective tool for monitoring infection episodes.     

Radioimmunoassay for plasma cortisol,testosterone, estradiol-17β, and estrone in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch): Development and validation

Radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques for cortisol, testosterone, estradiol-17β, and estrone in the catfish plasma have been developed. The assays have been validated by assessing their accuracy, sensitivity, precision, and specificity. The sensitivity of the assays was 5 pg for testosterone, 10 pg for estrone, 25 pg for estradiol-17β, and 50 pg for cortisol. Comparison of plasma levels of various steroids after purification on Celite columns with those not subjected to Celite chromatography reveals very close correspondence between the two during the various phases of the reproductive cycle. Thus the RIA on unfractionated plasma extract is as reliable as that following Celite chromatography when specific antisera are used. The fact that the chromatography step can be eliminated without any appreciable loss of precision or accuracy of the assay, considerably simplifies the RIA for cortisol, testosterone, estradiol-17β, and estrone during experimental studies on this catfish.