Intraoperative ultrasound examination of the brain

In a preliminary demonstration of cranial intraoperative real-time ultrasound, both supratentorial and posterior fossa scans displayed the pertinent anatomy. A grade III astrocytoma was visualized on the supratentorial scan as well. Ultrasound may be valuable for surgical planning and biopsy procedures because of its reliable depiction of intracranial anatomy and ease of use.     

Caring for our own: the role of institutionalized support structures in Native American nursing student success

In this project, the authors asked 19 Native American baccalaureate nursing students to discuss their experiences with a formal institutionalized student support program called "Caring for Our Own: A Reservation/University Partnership Program." The authors investigated the importance of different types of support structures within this program, as viewed by Native American nursing students. They distinguished between four institutionalized support structures: tangible, informational, emotional, and belonging. The authors found that students consider tangible support (such as stipends) to be comparatively less important than other types of support, particularly emotional and belonging support. Responses also revealed the importance of a fifth type of institutionalized support-motivational. The authors further discuss how these institutionalized support structures might lead to successful outcomes for Native American nursing students.     

Characterization and Quantitation of Aggregates and Particles in Interferon-β Products: Potential Links Between Product Quality Attributes and Immunogenicity

Interferon- β (IFN-β) products have been used for many years in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and include recombinant IFN-β-1b (Betaseron®) and IFN-β-1a (Avonex® and Rebif®). All three products lead to the formation of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and resulting loss of efficacy in patients but to different extents. Across several clinical trials, the reported rates ofneutralizing-antibody formation were 22%–47% (Betaseron®), 5%–35% (Rebif®), and 2%–13% (Avonex®). In the current study, all products were purchased from the pharmacy and aggregates were characterized and/or quantified using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), analytical ultracentrifugation, gel electrophoresis, and dot-blotting immunoassays. Particle characterization and counting were performed using microflow imaging, particle tracking analysis, and resonant mass measurement. Betaseron® and Rebif®, which are formulated with human serum albumin, had the greatest amount of aggregated protein and particles (e.g., 9%–15% high molecular weight species by SEC and > 100,000 particles/mL by flow imaging). Avonex® was found to have the least amount of aggregated protein, with > 95% monomer content by both SEC and analytical ultracentrifugation, and the particles detected in Avonex® were determined to be primarily silicone oil droplets. These results strongly suggest that protein aggregate and particle contents are key product quality attributes in a given product’s propensity to elicit the production of NAbs in patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 102:915–928, 2013     

TGFbeta1 deficiency does not affect the generation and maintenance of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ putative Treg cells, but causes their numerical inadequacy and loss of regulatory function

TGFbeta1 is considered to be required for peripheral maintenance of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) T(reg) cells. However, we demonstrate no reduction in the percentage of such T cells in the spleens and thymi of Tgfb1(-/-) mice. Although putative T(reg) cells, characterized as CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+)CD62L(+) T cells, are increased in Tgfb1(-/-) mice, they may be inadequate to control activated T cells since the ratio of activated T cells:putative T(reg) cells is several-fold higher in Tgfb1(-/-) mice than in control mice. We further show that whereas Tgfb1(-/-) mice that express a chicken OVA-specific TCR transgene (DO11.10) have an increase in putative T(reg) cells, there are no detectable CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in the spleens of DO11.10 Rag1(-/-) mice suggesting that T(reg)-cell generation is self-antigen dependent regardless of whether they express Tgfb1. Finally, we demonstrate that Tgfb1(-/-) T cells remain responsive to the suppressive effect of TGFbeta1 in vitro. These data suggest that TGFbeta1 is required for the regulatory function of T(reg) cells to prevent activation of T cells and autoimmunity.     

Q-angle, Pelvic width, and Intercondylar notch width as predictors of knee injuries in women soccer players in South Africa

Objective

To investigate the association between the three anatomical factors of Q-angle (QA), pelvic width (PW) and Intercondylar notch width (INW) and knee injuries among the U-23 female soccer players of South Africa

Methods

The study is a case-control prospective study design. Twenty four U-23 women soccer players of the South African team were purposively chosen to participate in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: group1 (Case) was those with knee injuries, while those without injuries were in group-2 (Control). PW and INW were measured after X-rays of the hip were taken while the QA was measured manually with the goniomenter. Association between anatomical factors and knee injuries were tested with ANOVA.

Results

Q-angle ranged from 14° to 18° for both injured and non injured groups. PW was between 24 –29 cm for both injured and non injured groups. INW was between 1.3mm and 2.8mm for the right and between 1.4mm and 2.5mm for the left notch for the injured group, while INW for the right and left of the non injured group were between 1.7mm to 2.1mm and 1.8mm to 2.1mm, respectively No significant association between knee injuries and each of the anatomical factors was found QA (p= 0.74), PW (p=0.34), INW (right and left respectively) (p=0.142 & p=0.089).

Conclusion

The three anatomical factors of QA, PW and INW could not be used to predict knee injuries amongst the U-23 female players in South Africa.