A comparison of two laser-based methods for determination of burn scar perfusion: laser Doppler versus laser speckle imaging

Laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDI) is an established technique for early assessment of burn depth to help determine a course of treatment. Laser speckle perfusion imaging (LSPI) is an alternative laser based, non-invasive perfusion monitoring technique that offers rapid and high resolution images of tissue. We have evaluated the ability of the LSPI instrument in determining and monitoring burn scar perfusion over time and compared it with the LDI instrument as a standard. METHODS: Ten patients with hypertrophic burn scars (time since injury: 1-8 months) were recruited. Burn scars were scanned with both instruments (LSPI and LDI) monthly over a period of 11 months. Clinical grading of the burn scars was assessed on every scan date using the Vancouver burn scar scale. RESULTS: Comparison of the perfusion values determined by each instrument shows a strong positive correlation, r2=0.86 (n=63). Each instrument's output also correlated significantly with the clinical grading of the scar, indicating the expected decrease in perfusion as the clinical condition of the scars improved with time. SIGNIFICANCE: The new LSPI instrument compared favorably with the established LDI instrument, yielding similar results. The considerably faster scan time and higher resolution of the LSPI method provides a distinct clinical advantage, both in terms of patient comfort and for reliably matching perfusion characteristics to their associated anatomical features. The fast temporal response of the LSPI instrument could be used to monitor near real-time responses to mechanical or pharmacological interventions to study dynamic vascular changes to burn damaged tissues.     

Descriptive epidemiology of congenital hydrocephaly in Hawaii, 1986--2000

Using data from a birth defects registry, this study examined the epidemiology of hydrocephaly in Hawaii during 1986--2000. There were 294 cases of hydrocephaly, resulting in a rate of 10.4 per 10,000 live births. The hydrocephaly rate was lower with increased maternal age and female sex and higher with lower birth weight, lower gestational age, and multiple gestation pregnancy.     

Glycogen-rich Clara cell-type bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma: light and electron microscopic study.

A clear cell type of bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma removed from the lung of a 63-year-old man was studied by light and electron microscopy. The tumor was composed exclusively of Clara cells identified by the presence of secretory granules, an abundance of granular endoplasmic reticulum, a moderate number of mitochondria and prominent Golgi complexes. The tumor cells were tall columnar and had clear cytoplasm due to the presence of large pools of intracytoplasmic glycogen. This feature has not heretofore been described. Ultrastructural features distinguishing this tumor from benign clear cell tumors of the lung and clear cell carcinomas of the kidney are described.     

Conformational analogues of antihypertensive agents related to guanethidine.

In an effort to clarify the conformational requirements, if any, of agents producing adrenergic neuronal blockade through mechanisms similar to guanethidine, the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 15 analogues of cinnamylguanidine are described. These analogues represent derivatives in which the distance between the center of the ring system and the guanidinium nitrogen atom varies from 3.9 to 6.2 A. While conformational relationships could not be defined in this study, three analogues (3, 4, and 5) were apparently more potent than guanethidine in the in vitro assay employed.     

Inpatient admissions for interventional radiology: philosophy of patient management

As an alternative to performing interventional radiology on inpatients under the care of internists and surgeons, the authors have established a cardiovascular radiology admitting service for well-screened, elective patients. The patients are admitted under the care of a cardiovascular radiology fellow and a staff physician. From April 1982 to December 1983, 133 patients were admitted to the service. Patients are cared for in a surgical ward or in an intermediate unit, as determined by the clinical situation. Advantages of this approach include a broader patient referral base, improved rapport with clinical colleagues and patients, improved follow-up data, and rapid evaluation and treatment, resulting in short hospital stays. The major disadvantages involve the commitment of time and staff necessary to provide quality care. The concept of the interventional radiologist in the role of admitting physician has important implications in terms of negotiations for additional financial compensation, commensurate with the skill and time required for performing these procedures and caring for the patient.     

Feasibility and benefits of a parent-focused preschool child obesity intervention

OBJECTIVES: This field study tested the feasibility and benefits of a program to promote 6 targeted parental behaviors to prevent obesity in children served by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). METHODS: Two WIC sites participated in a nonrandomized, controlled 1-year prospective study to assess parents' self-reported behavior changes. RESULTS: Statistical analyses of preintervention and postintervention assessments of parental behavior demonstrated significant changes in 2 behaviors: frequency of offering the child water and frequency of engaging in active play with the child. In both cases, the intervention proved effective in increasing the desired behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate the feasibility of changing parental behaviors through multidimensional education in a WIC clinic setting.     

Ex-vivo uses and applications of cytokines for adoptive immunotherapy in cancer

Harnessing the power of the immune system to eliminate infection and cancer is a long-standing goal in clinical immunology. The development of a robust immune response to foreign antigen relies, in part, on communication between cellular components of the immune system. The proteins involved in governing the magnitude and longevity of an immune response are collectively called cytokines. Cytokines act directly on immune cells to induce proliferation, differentiation and tolerance, and signaling errors can lead to autoimmune disease or immune deficiency. Identification of the molecules involved in these signaling processes has allowed investigators to manipulate immune cells for therapeutic effect, both in vivo and ex vivo. While in vivo immune modulation using cytokines has produced some exciting results, the toxicity involved with systemic administration has limited their broad use in the clinic. Therefore, research has been focused on the ex vivo manipulation of immune cells for adoptive transfer to treat cancer and infection. This review will focus on the ex vivo manipulation of immune cells with particular emphasis on stimulating cytotoxic T cell responses. Adoptive transfer of ex vivo generated cell types may then be used to treat malignant and viral disease.     

Protein kinase C inhibition and diabetic retinopathy: a shot in the dark at translational research

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH IN PRACTICE: a PKC-beta inhibitor for diabetic retinopathy