Synthesis and thermal properties of poly(arylene-1,2,4-oxadiazole)s with flexible,linear alkoxymethyl side branches

Poly(arylene-1,2,4-oxadiazole)s (PAOs) bearing flexible, linear side chains, 3a - c , were prepared by solution cyclodehydration of their precursors, poly(arylene acyloylamide oxime)s (PAAs), 2a - c , which were synthesized by solution polycondensation of 2,5-bis(n-alkoxymethyl)-terephthaldiamide oximes (DIS-TADO), 1a - c , with terephthaloyl dichloride (TPC). The length of the n-alkoxy group was varied from methoxy via butoxy to octyloxy. The reduction of the phase transition temperatures and the enhancement of the solubilities of 3a - c were greatly affected by the length of the side chains. PAOs with longer side chains, 3b and 3c , are nematic type liquid-crystalline polymers.     

Heterogeneity of IgE response to TDI-HSA conjugates by ELISA in toluene diisocyanate (TDI) -induced occupational asthma (OA) patients.

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a low molecular weight reactive chemical, is known to be a main cause of occupational asthma (OA) in Korea. Although it is thought that inhaled TDI may act as a hapten, the precise mechanisms of TDI-induced OA are unknown. In this study, TDI-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugates (5, 10, 20 and 30 min) were prepared in the range of 1.5 to 5.0 TDI mole/HSA mole. Specific binding of serum IgE to TDI-HSA (30 min) was observed using IgE ELISA as well as ELISA inhibition assay. Around 40% of TDI-induced OA patients were positive for serum specific IgE by ELISA. Degrees of serum IgE binding were different depending on which TDI-HSA conjugate was used as an antigen. Moreover, binding patterns were different depending on the individuals. Interestingly, higher binding of IgE to TDI-HSA (5 min) than to TDI-HSA (30 min) which was more highly substituted was observed in some patients. Probably new antigenic epitopes on carrier proteins were targets of the specific IgE. The results of this study indicated that IgE responses to TDI-HSA conjugates were heterogeneous in TDI-induced OA patients and self-proteins modified by reactive chemicals can become a major target antigen of IgE in certain cases.     

Mortality among ferrous foundry workers

Mortality analyses were carried out for 278 male hourly workers who were employed for at least 10 years at a gray iron foundry and who died between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 1981. Statistically significant excess proportional mortality due to non-malignant respiratory disease (SPMR = 177), lung cancer (SPMR = 148), and leukemia (SPMR = 284) was found among the 221 white males. Among nonwhite males there was a significant excess in proportional mortality due to circulatory diseases (SPMR = 143). White males in the Finishing classification experienced a significant excess of proportional mortality due to nonmalignant respiratory disease (SPMR = 279) and lung cancer (SPMR = 179). White males in the Core Room classification experienced an excess of proportional mortality due to nonmalignant respiratory disease (SPMR = 321). Case-control studies demonstrated a significant association between nonmalignant respiratory disease and the Finishing classification after controlling for the effects of age, prior occupations in coal mining or foundries, and smoking. A positive but nonsignificant association between lung cancer and Finishing was also found after controlling for age, prior work history, and smoking in case control studies.     

Ultrasonographic measurement of shoulder subluxation in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ultrasonographic measurement of shoulder subluxation in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia. DESIGN: Prospective, single blind study. PATIENTS: A total of 41 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were included (24 men and 17 women, mean age 56 years (standard deviation 11), age range 34-78 years). METHODS: Clinical evaluation of the affected shoulder was assessed using the Motricity Index scores and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Two ultrasonographic measurements were taken to check intra-rater reliability. The shoulder subluxation ratio was determined as the ratio of the radiographic vertical and horizontal distance, and the ultrasonographic lateral and anterior distances in the affected shoulder divided by that in the unaffected shoulder. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients of the repeated ultrasonographic lateral/anterior distance measurements in the unaffected and affected shoulders were 0.979/0.969 and 0.950/0.947, respectively. Ultrasonographic lateral/anterior distance ratios were negatively correlated with Motricity Index scores of the affected shoulder abduction (r = -0.490, p < 0.001/ r = -0.671, p < 0.001). Ultrasonographic anterior distance ratio was negatively correlated with Modified Ashworth Scale score of the affected shoulder (r = -0.374, p < 0.05). However, there was no correlation between radiographic distance ratios and clinical evaluation scores. CONCLUSION: We strongly recommend ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool to measure the degree of shoulder subluxation in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.     

Effect of pindolol on the prolactin response tod-denfluramine

We studied the effect of the 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist, pindolol, on the prolactin (PRL) response to the 5-HT releasing agent,d-fenfluramine (d-FEN), in ten healthy male volunteers. Pindolol pretreatment lowered baseline PRL levels but, when this effect was taken into account, did not significantly attenuate the PRL response tod-FEN. Within the limitations that attend the use of pindolol as a 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist, the data suggest that although 5-HT_1A receptors may play a role in the tonic release of PRL, they are not involved in the release of PRL produced byd-FEN. We propose that the PRL response tod-FEN may involve selective activation of postsynaptic 5-HT₂ receptors.     

A SLAP lesion associated with calcific tendinitis of the long head of the biceps brachii at its origin

Calcific tendinitis is a common condition with characteristic clinical and radiological findings. Although we do not know which condition initiated the pathologic cascade, we present a rare case of calcific tendinitis of the long head of the biceps brachii at its origin, associated with a SLAP lesion. The calcium deposit was removed and the SLAP lesion was repaired with a suture anchor arthroscopically.     

Avoidance therapy in reactive dye-induced occupational asthma: long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported that early diagnosis and avoidance therapy are the most important factors for prevention of permanent lung impairment; however, few studies have evaluated the long-term prognosis of reactive dye-induced occupational asthma (RD-OA). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of RD-OA. METHODS: Methacholine airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and lung functions were evaluated and compared in 26 patients with RD-OA at the time of diagnosis and after complete avoidance of the causative agents. Patients with continued (n = 13) or remitted (n = 6) AHR were further monitored for up to a mean +/- SD of 8.7 +/- 1.8 years. RESULTS: The AHR resolved in 10 (38%) of 26 patients a mean +/- SD of 2.2 +/- 1.3 years after complete avoidance of RDs; however, prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) values were not different. Levels of IgE specific to the RD-human serum albumin complex were markedly decreased at first follow-up in 5 RD-atopic patients from whom paired serum samples were compared (P = .02). The AHR disappeared in an additional 5 patients and improved in 4 by the second follow-up. The FEV1 values also improved compared with diagnosis and first follow-up levels. Favorable prognosis was associated with early diagnosis of RD-OA and complete avoidance of the causative agent. No association was found with smoking history, latent periods, the presence of RD specific IgE, baseline provocation concentration that caused a decrease in FEV1 of 20%, or FEV1. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis and avoidance therapy are the most important prognostic factors in RD-OA. The AHR and lung function of patients with RD-OA can sometimes be recovered steadily and slowly through avoidance measures.     

Polymorphism p53 codon-72 and invasive cervical cancer: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Although some studies have reported that the arginine isoform on codon 72 of p53 increases the susceptibility to invasive cervical cancer, such data remain controversial. The objective of this study was to quantitatively summarize the evidence for such a relationship. METHODS: Our data sources consisted of a MEDLINE search of the literature published before December 2002, bibliography review, and expert consultation. Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Information on sample size, study design, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and method of genotype determination was abstracted by two reviewers using a standardized protocol. The overall odds ratio (OR) of the p53 gene on invasive cervical cancer was estimated using the Mantel-Haenzel method. RESULTS: The overall OR (95% confidence interval) for cervical cancer among those with the homozygous mutant (Arg/Arg) was 1.2 (1.1-1.3, P=0.001) compared with those with the heterozygous mutant (Arg/Pro). By a cellular type of cervical cancer, the overall OR among those with Arg/Arg was statistically significant in adenocarcinomas (1.7, 1.1-2.6, P=0.024), but not in squamous cell carcinomas (1.1, 0.9-1.2, P=0.960), compared with Pro/Pro. Compared with Arg/Pro, the OR among those with Arg/Arg was statistically significant in HPV types 16 (1,5, 1.2-2.0, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the p53 gene was associated with increased risk for invasive cervical cancer. However, the risk varied by country, cellular, and HPV type.     

New Latex Bead Agglutination Assay for Differential Diagnosis of Cattle Infected with Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

Extensive studies have shown that the current assays used to identify cattle infected with Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis are not sufficiently sensitive and specific to detect all infected animals, especially animals recently infected with the pathogens. In the present report we show that these limitations might be overcome with a latex bead agglutination assay (LBAA). With the specific immunodominant epitope (ESAT6-p) of M. bovis, we developed an LBAA and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for that purpose and compared them with the “gold standard” culture method and skin test for their efficacy in detecting bovine tuberculosis. When sera from control healthy cows (n = 10), M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis-positive cattle (naturally infected, n = 16; experimentally infected, n = 8), and M. bovis-positive cattle (naturally infected, n = 49;experimentally infected, n = 20) were applied to an EIA and an LBAA developed with ESAT6-p, the two tests showed similar sensitivity (97.1% by EIA, 95.7% by LBAA), high specificity (94.2% by EIA, 100% by LBAA), and a positive correlation (kappa value, 0.85; correlation rate, 93.2%; correlation coefficient, 0.64). Receiver operating characteristic analysis of EIA results and comparison with the culture method determined a suitable cutoff value at 0.469, with an area under the curve of 0.991 (95% confidence interval, 0.977 to 1.0). As LBAA didn't show any positive reactions with sera from uninfected control cows or M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis-infected cattle, which were confirmed to be free of M. bovis by culture or PCR, LBAA using the ESAT6-p can be a rapid and useful M. bovis diagnostic assay. The data suggest that rapid, sensitive, and specific assays can be developed with peptides containing immunodominant epitopes present in proteins uniquely expressed in M. bovis or M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis for differential diagnosis of cattle infected with M. bovis or M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis.