Polymorphic microsatellite loci for a neotropical leaf-litter frog (Craugastor bransfordii) characterized through Illumina sequencing

There are relatively few molecular resources for amphibians in the tropics where widespread habitat loss, disease, and contamination threaten the world’s most diverse assemblages. We used Illumina sequencing to develop microsatellite primers for a dominant amphibian species in Costa Rica that has recently experienced population declines. We characterized 12 polymorphic loci and have provided sequences for over 200 additional primers. These novel molecular resources will be useful for future studies of population genetic structure and may help explain recent declines in one of many species that are decreasing in Central America.     

Factors Affecting the Longevity and Strength in an <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Model of the Bone–Ligament Interface

The interfaces between musculoskeletal tissues with contrasting moduli are morphologically and biochemically adapted to allow the transmission of force with minimal injury. Current methods of tissue engineering ligaments and tendons do not include the interface and this may limit the future clinical success of engineered musculoskeletal tissues. This study aimed to use solid brushite cement anchors to engineer intact ligaments from bone-to-bone, creating a functional musculoskeletal interface in vitro. We show here that modifying anchor shape and cement composition can alter both the longevity and the strength of an in vitro model of the bone–ligament interface: with values reaching 23 days and 21.6 kPa, respectively. These results validate the use of brushite bone cement to engineer the bone–ligament interface in vitro and raise the potential for future use in ligament replacement surgery.     

The association between degenerative hip joint pathology and size of the gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata muscles

The aim of this study was to obtain, using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), muscle volume measurements for the gluteus maximus (upper: UGM and lower: LGM portions) and tensor fascia lata (TFL) muscles in both healthy subjects (n = 12) and those with unilateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip (mild: n = 6, and advanced: n = 6). While control group subjects were symmetrical between sides for the muscles measured, subjects with hip joint pathology showed asymmetry in GM muscle volume dependent on stage of pathology. The LGM demonstrated atrophy around the affected hip in subjects with advanced pathology (p < 0.05), however asymmetry of the UGM (p < 0.01) could be attributed largely to hypertrophy on the unaffected side, based on between group comparisons of muscle volume. TFL showed no significant asymmetry, or difference compared to the normal control group. This study highlights the functional separation of UGM and LGM, and the similarities of the UGM and TFL, both superficial abductors appearing to maintain their size around the affected hip. Further research is required to determine the specific changes occurring in the deeper abductor muscles. This information may assist in the development of more targeted and effective exercise programmes in the management of OA of the hip.     

Cytogenetic and histologic correlations in malignant lymphoma

Although a number of studies have indicated correlations between histologic subtypes of tumors and certain nonrandom chromosome changes, cytogenetic studies of lymphoma are in an early stage compared to those of leukemia. No comprehensive analysis of available data has so far been attempted in the literature either. Here we present an analysis of chromosome changes and their correlation with subtypes of lymphoma studied by conventional histology and cell surface markers, as observed in two sets of data: a group of 65 karyotypically abnormal tumors sequentially ascertained and studied by us during the period January 1, 1984 to April 30, 1985, and a larger data set derived by combining our data with those from two published series from the University of Minnesota that are comparable to our data. These combined data, which comprise the largest data set on the cytogenetics of lymphomas assembled so far, enabled a comprehensive analysis of correlation between chromosome change and tumor histology and the patterns of chromosome instability in these tumors. We found several significant associations, some previously described and others now recognized, between nonrandom chromosome gains, breaks, translocations, and deletions and histologic subtypes of tumors that characterize lymphomas. The data indicate that finding of chromosome breaks at certain sites (eg, 8q24, 14q32, 18q21) is of diagnostic value in dealing with cases of unusual lymphoma. Furthermore, nonrandom chromosome breakage exhibited three distinct patterns that reflected three levels of etiologically relevant genetic change.     

Empowerment: an idea whose time has come in diabetes education

We have learned much in the past 10 years about how to help patients to acquire diabetes-related knowledge and skills and how to use strategies to help patients change behaviors. However, the application of knowledge and techniques should be guided by a relevant, coherent, educational philosophy. Empowerment offers a practical conceptual framework for diabetes patient education. Empowering patients provides them with the knowledge, skills, and responsibility to effect change and has the potential to promote overall health and maximize the use of available resources. It is an idea whose time has come for diabetes education.     

Increased incidence of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in implantable defibrillator patients after the World Trade Center attack

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate whether the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11, 2001 (9/11), led to an increased frequency of ventricular arrhythmias among patients fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). BACKGROUND: The WTC attack induced psychological distress. Because ICDs store all serious arrhythmias for months, the attack provided a unique opportunity to compare pre- and post-9/11 frequencies of potentially lethal arrhythmias among ICD patients. METHODS: Two hundred consecutive ICD patients who presented for regularly scheduled follow-up to six affiliated clinics were recruited into this observational study. The electrograms stored in the ICDs for the three months before 9/11 and 13 months thereafter were scrutinized in a blinded manner (relative to date) for all ventricular tachyarrhythmias (tachycardia or fibrillation) triggering ICD therapy. RESULTS: The frequency of tachyarrhythmias increased significantly for the 30 days post-9/11 (p = 0.004) relative to all other months between May 2001 and October 2002. In the 30 days post-9/11, 16 patients (8%) demonstrated tachyarrhythmias, compared with only seven (3.5%) in the preceding 30 days, representing a 2.3-fold increase in risk (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 4.9; p = 0.03). The first arrhythmic event did not occur for three days following 9/11, with events accumulating in a progressive non-clustered pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Ventricular arrhythmias increased by more than twofold among ICD patients following the WTC attack. The delay in onset and the non-clustered pattern of these events differ sharply from effects following other disasters, suggesting that subacute stress may have served to promote this arrhythmogenesis.     

Combination therapy with intrapleural doxycycline and talc in reduced doses is effective in producing pleurodesis in rabbits

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that talc and doxycycline might be acting through different pathways in creating pleurodesis. We hypothesized that combining doxycycline and talc in half the usual doses would be synergistic in inducing pleurodesis. METHODS: Thirty-two rabbits were equally allocated into four groups: group 1, half-dose combination (5 mg/kg of doxycycline and 200 mg/kg of talc slurry); group 2, quarter-dose combination (2.5 mg/kg of doxycycline and 100 mg/kg of talc slurry); group 3, half-dose doxycycline (5 mg/kg of doxycycline); and group 4, half-dose talc (100 mg/kg of talc slurry). The pleurodesis scores from historical groups that received a full dose of talc (400 mg/kg) or doxycycline (10 mg/kg) were also compared to those obtained in the current study. Pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase and protein levels were measured 24 h after the injection. Pleurodesis was graded from 1 (none) to 8 (> 50% symphysis) by two observers blinded to treatment groups. All rabbits underwent an ultrasonic examination on each side of their chest for the evaluation of pleurodesis. RESULTS: The mean pleurodesis score in the half-dose combination group was significantly higher than that in the half-dose talc group, half-dose doxycycline group, and the historical full-dose talc group (p = 0.009, p = 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively). The quarter-dose combination group also had a significantly higher mean pleurodesis score compared to the half-dose talc group (p = 0.013). The difference between the historical full-dose doxycycline and the half-dose combination or quarter-dose combination groups was not significant (p > 0.05). A significantly positive correlation existed between the pleurodesis score and the ultrasound scores (r = 0.876, p = 0.000000005). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the combination of half doses of talc and doxycycline is more effective than the half dose of either drug alone or the full dose of talc in producing pleurodesis in rabbits. In addition, ultrasound is an accurate imaging modality for the evaluation of pleurodesis, in that the absence of pleural gliding on ultrasound correlates well with the presence of a pleurodesis in rabbits.