Scanning laser ophthalmoscope imaging of fluorescein-labelled blood cells

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of a technique for the visualization by scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) of fluores cein-labelled autologous leukocytes and platelets in retinal vessels. Method: Individual blood samples from rats and rabbits were centrifuged to isolate platelets and leukocytes, then passively labelled with fluorescein and reinjected into the same animal. An SLO was used to visualize and record cell displacement in the retinal circulation. Labelled platelets were analysed by flow cytometry. Results: By SLO, platelets appeared as a heterogeneous particle flow, and individual leukocytes appearing as brighter spots could easily be traced. Flow cytometry showed that after labelling platelets were well individualized and their size was slightly increased. Conclusion: Circulating blood cells can be visualized in retinal vessels by a simple method consisting of passive labelling of autologous platelets and leukocytes by fluorescein. No platelet toxicity was detected. This method could be applied to the study of blood cell movement in human retinal vascular diseases.Proprietary interest category: N     

The Use of Seclusions and Physical Restraints: Just How Consistent Are We?

Research has yet to verify whether children with greater problems, in more restrictive settings such as inpatient units actually receive more protective interventions such as seclusions/restraints than children in less intrusive settings who should have less need. Despite many strong and conflicting opinions about how these interventions should be used, very little is actually known about when and how seclusions/restraints are in fact used. It is unclear what professions use seclusions/restraints most, in what settings, for which children, how consistently, and with what outcomes. The present research found significant variability in use across the continuum of care which could not be attributed to the severity of children's problems or to the restrictiveness of the setting. The two most similar settings differed the most in their use of these procedures. Patterns of utilization are difficult to explain and are a cause for concern because they suggest possible inconsistencies and use which does not depend upon client needs. Use was significantly but only weakly predicted by age and gender of children with younger males being more likely to receive these interventions. The finding that child and youth care workers in the settings studied were the professionals most likely by far to use these procedures, indicates needs for increased worker involvement in both quality assurance and supportive activities that explore potential for burnout and injury associated with high use.     

Preparation of crystalline bovine liver β-glucuronidase

Summary A method is described for the preparation of pure -glucuronidase from bovine liver. The procedure includes ammonium sulfate, acetone and ethanol fractionation and a simple two-step ion exchange chromatography. The yield is acceptable and the method requires only standard laboratory equipment. The pure enzyme is easily crystallized from ammonium sulfate. Some practical applications of the pure -glucuronidase are discussed.     

Effects of sympathectomy on the in vivo α and β-responses of the parotid gland

Summary Salivary secretion in response to noradrenaline and isoprenaline was measured in innervated and chronically sympathectomized parotid glands of the rat. In innervated glands, the responses to isoprenaline lasted longer than those to noradrenaline. Chronic sympathetic denervation enhanced the responses to both noradrenaline and isoprenaline. The magnitude of the supersensitivity to isoprenaline was related to the dose and the time at which the responses were analyzed. Supersensitivity was greater for the initial than for the total secretion elicited by isoprenaline. Propranolol (1 mg/kg) and phenolamine (5 mg/kg) were used in order to determine the relative participation of and -adrenoceptors in the enhanced responses to isoprenaline. The results suggest that postjunctional supersensitivity for the secretory responses of this organ to isoprenaline is mainly mediated through -adrenoceptors of the secretory cells and -adrenoceptors of the myoepithelial cells.     

Nasal ciliary beat frequency is age independent

Objectives: Evaluate the age-dependency of ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in biopsies after ciliogenesis in culture. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of CBF and ciliary ultrastructure in biopsies and after ciliogenesis from 203 individuals, aged 3 months to 74 years. Methods: All patients with successful culture were included. Ciliogenesis was obtained using the sequential monolayer-suspension culture technique for dissociated nasal epithelial cells. CBF was measured using computerized microscope photometry. Secondary ultrastructural abnormalities were evaluated in transmission electron microscopy. Results: There was no correlation between age and CBF, in either the biopsies (7.0 ± 2.6 Hz; n = 113) or after ciliogenesis in culture (8.1 ± 1.3 Hz; n = 203). Even in individuals older than 70 years, CBF was normal in bioptic material (6.7 ± 1.7 Hz) and after ciliogenesis in culture (7.9 ± 1.0 Hz). Also, in individuals less than 1 year of age CBF was normal in biopsies as well as after ciliogenesis. CBF correlated inversely with the percentage of secondary ultrastructural abnormalities in the biopsies as seen with transmission electron microscopy: 8.1 ± 1.8 Hz when ciliary ultrastructure was normal and 3.5 ± 3.3 Hz in cases of severe secondary ciliary dyskinesia. After ciliogenesis in culture, ciliary ultra-structure was always normal, as was CBF. Conclusion: CBF is age independent but correlates with secondary ultrastructural abnormalities. CBF after ciliogenesis in culture is the intrinsic one.     

Psychological Problems among Head and Neck Cancer Patients in Relation to Utilization of Healthcare and Informal Care and Costs in the First Two Years after Diagnosis

Background: To investigate associations between psychological problems and the use of healthcare and informal care and total costs among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Method: Data were used of the NETherlands QUality of Life and Biomedical Cohort study. Anxiety and depression disorder (diagnostic interview), distress, symptoms of anxiety and depression (HADS), and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and cancer worry scale (CWS) were measured at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. Care use and costs (questionnaire) were measured at baseline, 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up. Associations between psychological problems and care use/costs were investigated using logistic and multiple regression analyses. Results: Data of 558 patients were used. Distress, symptoms of anxiety or depression, FCR, and/or anxiety disorder at baseline were significantly associated with higher use of primary care, supportive care, and/or informal care (odds ratios (ORs) between 1.55 and 4.76). Symptoms of anxiety, FCR, and/or depression disorder at 12-month follow-up were significantly associated with use of primary care, supportive care, and/or informal care (ORs between 1.74 and 6.42). Distress, symptoms of anxiety, and FCR at baseline were associated with higher total costs. Discussion: HNC patients with psychological problems make more use of healthcare and informal care and have higher costs. This is not the result of worse clinical outcomes.     

Single fresh and frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer using hyaluronan-rich transfer medium

The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate use of a hyaluronan-rich transfer medium in fresh and frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer. The study included 279 single blastocyst transfers in women aged<37 years in their first, second or third treatment cycle. According to the type of single blastocyst transfer (fresh elective or frozen-thawed) the women were divided into two study and two control groups. In both study groups (n=130) transfers were performed using hyaluronan and in the control groups (n=149) a conventional transfer medium was used. The results indicate that fresh elective single blastocyst transfer with hyaluronan results in significantly higher pregnancy rates in a selected subgroup of women; those with >or=2 blastocysts developed to day 5 and a previous implantation failure (55% versus 10%; P=0.012). Overall pregnancy rates after fresh elective and frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer were similar in both study and control groups.