Isotherm of alcohol-cooled cryoprobe

QUINN, K. J. AND J. H. O'BRIEN. Isotherm of alcohol-cooled cryoprobe. BRAIN RES. BULL. 4(1) 119–121, 1979.—The spread of cooling from the tip of a cryoprobe placed in the ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus in 10 cats was determined. A 20°C isotherm was described as having a diameter of 4 mm and extending 2 mm below the tip of the cryoprobe and tapering up along the shaft of the cryoprobe for a distance of 2 mm, when the cryoprobe tip temperature was maintained at 3°C.     

Naturalistic observation of the snack-selecting behavior of obese and nonobese children

No previous study has examined the snack-selecting behavior of children although information from such a study may be useful in preventing and treating obesity or in determining its etiology. To provide data on this behavior, male (n = 190) and female (n = 166) children were unobtrusively observed purchasing snacks in either of two movie theaters. The amount of soft drinks and snack foods that were selected was recorded, and the corresponding caloric values were determined. Ratings were also made for obesity and sex. No differences for obesity or sex emerged on the measure of amount of calories selected. The implications of these results for the treatment of obesity are discussed.     

Index of orthodontic treatment need as a predictor of orthodontic treatment uptake

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) could be weighted by using consumer-based sociodental measures to predict the uptake of orthodontic services. METHODS: The sample consisted of 525 schoolchildren, 11 to 12 years old, from Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Child-perceived IOTN aesthetic component (AC), examiner IOTN AC and dental health component, and child socioeconomic status (Townsend score) were recorded. Two consumer sociodental measures (utility and oral aesthetic subjective impact scale values) were recorded. Three years later, the proportion of the subjects who had received orthodontic treatment or were on a waiting list for orthodontic treatment was recorded, and the rate of service uptake was determined. RESULTS: Sociodental indicators did not predict uptake of orthodontic services. A child with higher normative clinical treatment need was 3 times more likely to receive orthodontic treatment than a child with low clinical need (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Consumer-based sociodental information does not predict future use of orthodontic services. Factors such as clinical IOTN and child-perceived IOTN AC will adequately predict use of orthodontic services.     

Experimental Models of Neuropathic Fecal Incontinence: An Animal Model of Childbirth Injury to the Pudendal Nerve and External Anal Sphincter

Purpose  Childbirth is the most common cause of fecal incontinence and damage to the pudendal nerve is a major component of childbirth injury. This study was designed to develop an acute animal model of injury to the innervation of the external anal sphincter. Methods  Forty-eight female virgin wistar rats were studied. Two models of neuropathic injury were developed. Bilateral inferior rectal nerve crush (Group A) acted as a positive control. Prolonged intrapelvic retrouterine balloon inflation (Group B) simulated the pelvic compressive forces of labor. Quantitative analysis of external anal sphincter muscle function was performed by using electromyography, external anal sphincter specific force production, and stereologic calculation of external anal sphincter mass. Results  Injury in both groups caused significant atrophy of the external anal sphincter (P = 0.002, ANOVA) and electromyographic evidence of reinnervation at one week. Specific force (mN force per mg mass) was not altered. External anal sphincter muscle mass recovered after four weeks in Group B. Conclusions  Balloon dilation within the boney pelvis results in denervation of the external anal sphincter and offers an experimental model of the effects of childbirth on the continence mechanism in humans. Supported by a grant from The Health Research Board, Ireland. Presented at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, St. Louis, Missouri, June 2 to 6, 2007, and was the winner of the Research Forum Prize.     

Prevalence and associations of the metabolic syndrome among patients prescribed clozapine

Background  There is increasing concern that the use of second-generation antipsychotic medications in schizophrenia is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. Aims  This study assessed the prevalence and clinical associations of metabolic syndrome among patients receiving clozapine within the catchment area of a mental health service in the west of Ireland. Method  A total of 84 patients (96% response rate) taking clozapine were interviewed and thoroughly investigated using physical assessments, comprehensive laboratory testing and review of medical records. Results  Of the patients, 46.4% taking clozapine fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Male gender, high body mass index, high insulin level and receiving a concomitant antipsychotic medication were significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. Conclusion  Almost half of the patients receiving clozapine have metabolic syndrome and are consequently at risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Such patients should be closely monitored in order to facilitate interventions, which could alleviate the adverse health consequences of this syndrome.     

Direct mitochondrial dysfunction precedes reactive oxygen species production in amiodarone-induced toxicity in human peripheral lung epithelial HPL1A cells

Amiodarone (AM), a drug used in the treatment of cardiac dysrrhythmias, can produce severe pulmonary adverse effects, including fibrosis. Although the pathogenesis of AM-induced pulmonary toxicity (AIPT) is not clearly understood, several hypotheses have been advanced, including increased inflammatory mediator release, mitochondrial dysfunction, and free-radical formation. The hypothesis that AM induces formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was tested in an in vitro model relevant for AIPT. Human peripheral lung epithelial HPL1A cells, as surrogates for target cells in AIPT, were susceptible to the toxicity of AM and N-desethylamiodarone (DEA), a major AM metabolite. Longer incubations (> or =6 h) of HPL1A cells with 100 microM AM significantly increased ROS formation. In contrast, shorter incubations (2 h) of HPL1A cells with AM resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction and cytoplasmic cytochrome c translocation. Preexposure of HPL1A cells to ubiquinone and alpha-tocopherol was more effective than that with Trolox C or 5,5-dimethylpyrolidine N-oxide (DMPO) at preventing AM cytotoxicity. These data suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction, rather than ROS overproduction, represents an early event in AM-induced toxicity in peripheral lung epithelial cells that may be relevant for triggering AIPT, and antioxidants that target mitochondria may potentially have beneficial effects in AIPT.