Clinical evaluation of 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel for the reduction of adhesions following peritoneal cavity surgery: open-label pilot study

The objective of this study was to assess the safety and to make a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel in reducing adhesions in patients undergoing peritoneal cavity surgery by laparotomy, with a planned 'second-look' laparoscopy. The study was a randomized, open-label, placebo- controlled, parallel-group design in patients desirous of fertility at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California. Female patients aged 24 to 41 years received 300 ml 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel or lactated Ringer's solution as an intraperitoneal instillate at the completion of the laparotomy procedure. At second-look laparoscopy 4-12 weeks after the laparotomy, the presence of adhesions was evaluated. Haematology and serum chemistry were determined throughout the study interval. All patients tolerated the procedures well and did not manifest any serious adverse events. At second-look laparoscopy, patients treated with 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel had significantly fewer adhesions than control patients. When adhesions did form, they were significantly less extensive and less severe in patients who received 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel. In conclusion, 0.5% ferric hyaluronate adhesion prevention gel was safe and highly efficacious in the reduction of the number, severity and extent of adhesions throughout the entire abdomen following peritoneal cavity surgery.      

Predicted maximal oxygen consumption of indigenous Siberians

This study presents physical fitness data on two indigenous Siberian populations, the Evenki and Keto. The Canadian Aerobic Test of Fitness (CATF) was utilized to provide estimates of maximal oxygen consumption (V?O₂ max) for a sample of 44 subjects (30 males, 14 females) as baseline data for further studies on changing fitness levels and the health problems associated with acculturation. Estimates of V?O₂ max average 46.2 ml kg^?1 min^?1 for males and 33.9 ml kg^?1 min^?1 for females. These values are comparable to those previously reported for other semisubsistence, cold adapted populations. The Siberian groups are below the Canadian norms in the 15–19 year age range, and thereafter track at about the 50th percentile throughout adulthood. This suggests that the cardiorespiratory systems of adult Evenki and Keto are functionally comparable to the average adult Canadian. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Localization of dystrophin isoform Dp71 to the inner limiting membrane of the retina suggests a unique functional contribution of Dp71 in the retina

The electroretinograms (ERGs) of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and an allelic variant of the mdx mouse (mdxCv3) have been shown to be abnormal. Analysis of five allelic variants of the mdx mouse with mutations in the dystrophin gene has shown that there is a correlation between the position of the mutation and the severity of the ERG abnormality. Three isoforms are expressed in the retina: Dp427, Dp260 and Dp71. Using indirect immunofluorescence and isoform-specific antibodies on retinal sections from three allelic mdx mouse strains, we have examined the localization of each of the isoforms. We show that Dp71 expression does not overlap with Dp427 and Dp260 expression at the outer plexiform layer (OPL). Instead, Dp71 is localized to the inner limiting membrane (ILM) and to retinal blood vessels. Moreover, we show that Dp260 and Dp71 differ structurally at their respective C-termini. In addition, we find that the proper localization of the beta- dystroglycan is dependent upon both Dp260 at the OPL and Dp71 expression at the ILM. Thus, Dp260 and Dp71 are non-redundant isoforms that are located at different sites within the retina yet have a common interaction with beta-dystroglycan. Our data suggest that both Dp71 and Dp260 contribute distinct but essential roles to retinal electrophysiology.