The immunohistochemical response of the rat periodontal ligament endothelium to an inflammatory stimulus

Recently, inflammation has been recognised as an important co-requisite to orthodontic tooth movement. When such a reaction is initiated, the process of up-regulation of certain adhesion molecules may occur, resulting in the extravasation of leukocytes. This may stimulate progenitor/precursor pathways and signals that regulate the biological responses resulting in tooth movement. We propose that up-regulation of leukocyte adhesion molecules occurs in response to orthodontic forces, resulting in circulating monocyte attraction, extravasation and differentiation into osteoclasts, which are responsible for bone resorption that results in orthodontic tooth movement. To investigate this hypothesis, it is necessary to determine whether periodontal ligament (PDL) endothelium responds to inflammatory stimuli as other organs do. We studied the normal distribution of endothelial adhesion molecule ICAM-1 within PDL vessels, and then the following exposure to an inflammatory endotoxin. The rat PDL blood vessels expressed ICAM-1 in response to the inflammatory stimulus, similar to other organs, suggesting that the inflammatory responses are similar. Whether and where in the PDL microvascular bed orthodontic forces cause up-regulation of ICAM-1 needs to be established.     

Increasing Honest Responding on Cognitive Distortions in Child Molesters: The Bogus Pipeline Revisited

Questionnaires are relied upon by forensic psychologists, clinicians, researchers, and social services to assess child molesters' (CMs') offense-supportive beliefs (or cognitive distortions). In this study, we used an experimental procedure to evaluate whether extrafamilial CMs underreported their questionnaire-assessed beliefs. At time one, 41 CMs were questionnaire-assessed under standard conditions (i.e., they were free to impression manage). At time two, CMs were questionnaire-assessed again; 18 were randomly attached to a convincing fake lie detector (a bogus pipeline), the others were free to impression manage. The results showed that bogus pipeline CMs significantly increased cognitive distortion endorsements compared to their own previous endorsements, and their control counterparts' endorsements. The findings are the first experimental evidence showing that CMs consciously depress their scores on transparent questionnaires.     

Effect of Erythromycin on Gastric Emptying Time of Low Birth Weight Babies

Background

To study the promotility effects of low dose erythromycin on gastric emptying time in a population of normal low birth weight (LBW) neonates on breast feeds with or without nutritional supplements and human milk fortifier (HMF).

Method

A randomised control trial involving 50 neonates was undertaken and they were given 6mg/kg/day of oral erythromycin or placebo in three divided doses for four consecutive days in the first two weeks of life. The gastric emptying time (GET) was assessed ultrasonographically by measuring the decrease in the antral cross sectional area (ACSA). The time taken for the ACSA to become half the prefeed value, was taken as t/2 or half GET. The babies were also assessed for pre and post intervention side effects of the drug. The results were analysed using SPSS ver 11.5.

Results

The test group showed a significant decrease in GET after the intervention. This effect was mainly seen in the preterm babies as compared to term Small for Gestational Age (SGA) babies. The decrease in GET was more in babies born after 34 weeks of gestation as compared to smaller babies. The reduction in GET was seen in babies on breast milk alone and nutritional supplements with breast milk but not when HMF was added. No side effects of the drug were noted.

Conclusion

Low dose erythromycin is a safe way of decreasing gastric emptying in preterm babies born after 34 weeks of gestation in the first two weeks of life.Key Words: Low dose erythromycin, Gastric emptying time, Low birth weight     

Breastfeeding after return to work: An Australian national workplace survey

Breastfeeding initiation rates in Australia are high but duration rates fall well below the World Health Organization targets. Return to work is a known factor impacting 6 months exclusive breastfeeding and continuation into the infants second year of life. Work related factors can influence a woman's confidence in maintaining breastmilk supply after return to employment and determine whether she meets her personal breastfeeding goals. This cross-sectional online survey is the first Australian study to explore women's experience of maintaining breastfeeding after return to work, in all work sectors. Results revealed variations across work sectors reflected in worker autonomy and confidence in speaking up about breastfeeding rights. Women who had autonomy or flexibility in planning their workday were more likely to be confident in maintaining breastmilk supply. The main predictors for milk supply confidence and meeting personal breastfeeding goals included having: a suitable place to express milk; confidence in speaking out about rights; a formal return-to-work plan; a supportive workplace; and returning to work after the period of exclusive breastfeeding. This study reveals that supportive workplace environments can lead to increased confidence in maintaining milk supply, extending durations of breastfeeding. Women who are confident in their rights to express breastmilk, or breastfeed at work, are more likely to meet their own breastfeeding goals. Education, and awareness raising, on the rights of breastfeeding women in the workplace, is a gender equity imperative that can improve experiences for breastfeeding women, and, increase manager and co-worker knowledge for creating enabling workplace environments for breastfeeding employees.     

Age and double product (systolic blood pressure x heart rate) reserve-adjusted modification of the Duke Treadmill Score nomogram in men

The Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) is an established clinical tool for risk stratification. Our aim was to determine if other variables could improve the prognostic power of the DTS and if so, to modify the DTS nomogram. From a total of 1,959 patients referred for exercise testing at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center from 1997 to 2006 (a mean follow-up of 5.4 years), we studied 1,759 male veterans (age 57 +/- 12 years) free of heart failure. Double product (DP) was calculated by multiplying systolic blood pressure and heart rate; variables and their products were subtracted to obtain the differences between at rest and maximal exercise (reserve) and recovery. Of all the hemodynamic measurements, DP reserve was the strongest predictor of cardiovascular death (CVD) (Wald Z-score -3.84, p <0.001) after adjustment for potential confounders. When the components of DTS were entered in the Cox hazard model with DP reserve and age, only DP reserve and age were chosen (p <0.00001). Using the Cox coefficients, a score calculated by [age - DTS - 3 x (DP reserve/1,000)] yielded an area under the curve of 0.84 compared with 0.76 for the DTS. Using this equation, a nomogram was constructed by adding age and DP reserve to the original DTS nomogram improving estimation of annual CVD. In conclusion, we propose an age and DP reserve-adjusted DTS nomogram that improves the prognostic estimates of average annual CVD over the DTS alone.     

计算机辅助影像导航经皮螺钉内固定治疗髋臼骨折的实验研究

目的 确定标准的术中透视图像,作为计算机辅助影像导航经皮螺钉内固定治疗髋臼前、后柱骨折的注册图像.方法 选取干燥尸体骨盆4具、模型骨盆4具作为骨折模型.直视徒手将2.5 mm导针置入髋臼前、后柱(双侧);双侧前柱导针分别采用逆行及顺行置入,后柱导针采用逆行植入;目视确认导针位置满意后,将骨盆固定于影像导航手术模拟操作模块,应用C形臂x线透视机,针对髋臼结构的前、后、外、内4个虚拟平面的垂直方向进行多角度连续动态透视,选择并确认能够清楚显示导针与前后柱、髋臼关节面的透视影像,作为导航手术的注册图像,记录此时c形臂x线透视机与骨盆、手术床的相对空间位置.依此注册图像,在导航手术系统辅助下,应用6.5 mm的钛中空螺钉进行髋臼前、后柱螺钉置入.每个骨折模型,每侧进行1次操作,共16次.目测螺钉位置、分别记录为获取标准注册图像C形臂摆放时间、透视时间、手术操作时间(导航系统建立,软件界面操作及螺钉植入操作的总时间).结果 所有螺钉置入位置满意,未进关节;前柱螺钉置入需要闭孔斜位(Judet-Letoumel斜位)、闭孔人口位、闭孔斜出口位、骨盆正位像;后柱螺钉置入需要髂骨斜位、闭孔斜位、骨盆入口位、闭孔斜出口位像;为获取前柱、后柱标准注册图像摆放C形臂X线透视机的时间平均分别为9.5、7.3 min,前柱、后柱每枚螺钉置入术中透视时间平均分别为2.9、1.7 S,前柱、后柱每枚螺钉置人操作时间平均分别为11.7、9.2 min.结论 导航注册图像不同与传统的Judet-Letoumel影像,如何正确获取标准的术中透视注册图像,是确保安全、准确实施影像导航辅助经皮螺钉内固定手术的关键.     

Kainic acid depresses the ex vivo release of dynorphin B and glutamate from rat hippocampal mossy fiber synaptosomes.

This experiment examined the effects of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) administered kainic acid (KA) on the subsequent ex vivo release of L-glutamate (Glu) and dynorphin B-like immunoreactivity (Dyn B-LI) from isolated rat hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) synaptosomes at 4.5 h, 20 h or 48 h after administration of 0.5 microgram/microliter KA. The Dyn B-LI content in the synaptosomal fraction initially decreased at 4.5 h and then rebounded and remained elevated above control levels at 20 h and 48 h. The K(+)-evoked release of Dyn B-LI from the synaptosomes was markedly depressed at 4.5 h after KA and remained significantly below control levels at 20 h and 48 h. In contrast, KA caused no change in the K(+)-evoked release of Glu at 4.5 h as compared to control levels, but did result in a significant decrease in Glu release at 20 h and 48 h. These data indicate a persistent effect of i.c.v. KA on neurotransmission at MF-CA3 synapses in rat hippocampus, resulting in a suppression of the release of Glu as well as the opioid peptide, Dyn B.