Dynamics of lipid adsorption at the electrified water∣1,2-dichloroethane interface

A recently introduced setup to measure the dynamic interfacial tension of expanding drops was used to compare the adsorption behaviour of a series of lipids at the electrified water∣dichloroethane interface. Phospholipids with saturated carbon chains of different length (DMPC, DPPC, DSPC, DAPC, DBPC), an unsaturated phospholipid (DOPC) and an ethanolamine (DSPE) were compared. It was found that the adsorption decreases with increasing chain length. Also, the increase of the flow rate reduces the degree of adsorption effectively. On the timescale of the experiments, the DSPE, DAPC and DBPC adsorption showed no potential dependence, whereas the adsorption of DOPC was stronger than that of the saturated lipids. Adsorption was modelled using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm; the potential dependence of adsorption is discussed.     

Long-term effects of physical exercise on working capacity and pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis

Seven patients with cystic fibrosis aged 6 to 20 were enrolled for 30 months in a daily exercise program. After 12 months conventional chest physiotherapy was withdrawn. Patients with low initial Shwachman scores improved as regards maximal working capacity. Spirometric data and volume of trapped gas indicated opening of closed airways. We suggest that physical exercise in general should be the basis of pulmonary therapy in cystic fibrosis. Other forms of physiotherapy are advisable when hard physical exercise is not feasible.     

Fracture repair during external fixation: Torsion tests of rabbit osteotomies

Bone repair was studied in the rabbit tibiofibular bone after a midshaft transverse osteotomy stabilized by external fixation and heavy compression. Both subendosteal and subperiosteal callus formation with concomitant contact healing were observed within 3 weeks, and were further succeeded by subendosteal resorption and increased porosis resulting in atrophy of the cortical bone. Subjected to the torsion test, the bones exhibited restoration of strength within 3 weeks, with maximal energy absorption and elasticity at 6 weeks. The failure of the osteotomy in the torsion test, with radiographic visibility of the osteotomy, characterized the soft-tissue type of behavior of the bones. Hard-tissue like behaviour of the bones with resistance to torsion at the osteotomy site and radiographic obliteration of the osteotomy line occurred by 12 weeks, indicating complete union of the osteotomy. Our experiments demonstrate that elastic external fixation is preferable to the rigid compression plate.     

Studies of the human oropharyngeal airspaces using magnetic resonance imaging IV--the oropharyngeal retention effect for four inhalation delivery systems.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the oropharyngeal region from 20 adult volunteers using four model inhalation devices (varying mouthpiece diameters, airflow resistances) and tidal breathing was carried out. Statistical analysis (convex hull method) selected 12 scans from 80 data sets representing the extremes of all dimensions in the population. Twelve physical mouth-throat models were made by stereolithography using the exact scan data. The aim was to produce models with varying dimensions to span the adult population, and to investigate if oropharyngeal dimensions affected throat retention for different delivery systems. In an in vitro analysis, the models were used to determine the retention effect of the oropharyngeal airspaces when drug aerosols were administered from four inhalation delivery systems: a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI), two different dry powder inhalers (DPIs A and B), and a nebulizer. The aims of this work were to determine the key parameters governing mouth-throat retention and whether retention was dependent on the delivery system used. Characterizing the throat models by measuring 51 different dimensional variables enabled determination of the most influential variables for dose retention for each inhalation delivery system. Throat model retention was found to be dependent on the delivery system (pMDI approximately DPI(A) > DPI(B) > Neb.). The most influential variable was the total throat model volume. Throat models representing high, median, and low oropharyngeal filtration in healthy adults have been identified.     

Karzinomassoziierte Retinopathie (CAR) bei Mammakarzinom und Karzinoid

Fragestellung: Die Karzinomassoziierte Retinopathie (CAR) stellt ein seltenes paraneoplastisches Syndrom dar, das bislang am h?ufigsten bei kleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinomen beschrieben wurde. Wir berichten über 3 Patientinnen mit CAR in Gegenwart eines Mammakarzinoms bzw. eines Karzinoids der Cervix uteri. Patienten und Methode: Es wurden biomikroskopische, perimetrische, angiographische und elektrophysiologische Befunde erhoben. Au?erdem erfolgte eine Testung der Immunreaktivit?t der Seren an humaner Retina. Ergebnisse: Die Befunde umfa?ten ringf?rmige Gesichtsfelddefekte mit statokinetischer Dissoziation und eine pathologische St?bchen- und Zapfenantwort im ERG. Bei 1 Patientin wurde immunhistochemisch eine Reaktion im Bereich der Photorezeptorinnensegmente, der ?u?eren K?rnerschicht sowie der ?u?eren plexiformen Schicht bei fehlendem Nachweis von Antik?rpern gegen Recoverin gefunden. Diskussion: Neben dem kleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinom k?nnen auch andere Prim?rtumoren mit einer CAR vergesellschaftet sein. Der Nachweis von retinalen Autoantik?rpern unterstützt die Annahme einer tumorinduzierten Immunantwort aufgrund der Expression identischer Epitope durch die Tumorzellen. Dabei kommen offensichtlich verschiedene retinale Proteine als Autoantigene in Betracht.      

The effect of physeal traction applied to the triradiate cartilage on acetabular growth

Summary Physeal distraction was applied with an external fixator to the triradiate cartilage of dogs with the aim of increasing the capacity of the acetabulum. The force was continued for from 2 to 6 weeks and the consequent changes were evaluated with regard to function and structure by radiography and microscopy. The distraction, without producing epiphysiolysis and destruction of the cartilage, resulted in expansion of the pelvic bones. The depth and volume of the acetabulum were increased, but the acetabular angle was decreased. Distraction also caused proliferation of the lacunar cells and the number of mammillary processes in the cartilage columns increased. Distraction can therefore be applied to the triradiate cartilage to enlarge the capacity of the acetabulum without producing epiphysiolysis.

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Résumé Dans cette étude une distraction a été appliquée sur le cartilage en Y. Douze chiens bâtards, âgés de 2.5 à 4 mois, ont été utilisés pour cette expérimentation. Une force de distraction de 80 Newton a été appliquée d'emblée sur le cartilage en Y. L'application de cette force a été poursuivie sur les animaux pendant 2, 4 ou 6 semaines. A la fin de cette période, les changements de la cavité cotyloïde et du cartilage en Y ont été évalués sur le plan fonctionnel, morphologique, radiologique et histopathologique Aucune altération fonctionnelle n'a été mise en évidence dans les groupes opérés par rapport au groupe de contrôle. On a observé que la distraction a déterminé une expansion massive de l'ilion, du pubis et de l'ischion. Sur les hanches de contrôle la profondeur de la cavité cotyloïde a été évaluée à 13.5 mm, le volume à 1.96 cc et l'angle de la cavité cotyloïde à 29.9°. Après distraction ces valeurs ont été respectivement de 14.4 mm, de 2.10 cc et de 25.7°. La distraction entraîne donc un accroissement de profondeur et de volume de la cavité cotyloïde, mais inversement une diminution de l'angle de cette cavité. Ces résultats montrent que la distraction détermine une prolifération des cellules lacunaires et un accroissement des processus mammaires dans les colonnes du cartilage en Y. Ils montrent également qu'elle peut augmenter la taille de l'acetabulum.

     

Prenatal diagnosis by isoenzymic differentiation of Treacher Collins' syndrome induced by retinoids in rats

A series of branchial arch malformations was induced in 618 embryos from 72 pregnant rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg etretinate at 8.5 days of gestation. The litters developed several malformations, including microtia, low set and dorsally placed outer ears, defective middle ear ossicles, short cochleas, defectively differentiated Meckel's cartilages, micrognathia, rudimentary malar bones, lateral facial clefts, fistulas and skin tags, all of which were similar to Treacher Collins' syndrome in man. The defects were accompanied by a pathological differentiation pattern of various isoenzymes in maxillary and mandibular processes. These isoenzymes could be detected in amniotic fluid from the 9th to the 20th days of pregnancy and showed a pathological differentiation pattern here as well. We conclude that a teratogenically induced syndrome affecting the first and second branchial arches is accompanied by a pathological differentiation pattern that can be traced by determinations of isoenzymes in the branchial arches as well as in amniotic fluid.     

Blood cell trauma and postoperative bleeding: comparison of bubble and membrane oxygenators and observations on coronary suction

Blood cell trauma and postoperative bleeding were studied in 96 patients following coronary artery bypass grafting, with bubble oxygenator used in 47 cases and membrane oxygenator in 49. The haemocompatibility of membrane oxygenators was superior to that of the bubble type, as reflected by less haemolysis, better preservation of platelet function, less release of betathromboglobulin and less degranulation of neutrophil granulocytes. Coronary suction contributed to haemolysis, but did not affect platelet or granulocyte function. Fibrinolysis, postoperative blood loss and need for blood transfusion did not differ between the bubble and membrane oxygenator groups.