Donor characteristics do not influence transfusion-related acute lung injury incidence in a secondary analysis of two case-control studies

Objective

To investigate the relation between donor characteristics and TRALI incidence.

Double minutes and other chromosomal aberrations in two malignant cell lines of the German cockroach Blattella germanica

Structural anomalies of mitotic chromosomes from two tumorigenic cell lines of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is described. Aberrations, such as unpairable marker chromosomes, double minutes, di- and tricentrics, ring chromosomes, tri- and quadriradials, and chromosome and chromatid gaps and breaks, were observed in varying proportions. This study reports that the double minute chromosomes (DMs) are associated with insect tumor cells, similar to the findings in both murine and human tumor cells.     

Sympathetic a-adrenergic control of large-bore arterial vessels,arterioles and veins,and of capillary pressure and fluid exchange in whole-organ cat skeletal muscle

The sympathetic nervous control of the vascular bed of cat gastrocnemius muscle was studied with a new whole-organ technique which permits simultaneous, continuous and quantitative measurements of capillary pressure (P_c), capillary fluid exchange and resistance reactions in the whole vascular bed and in its three consecutive sections: large-bore arterial vessels (> 25 μm), arterioles (< 25 μm) and veins. The results demonstrated a distinct neural control of all three consecutive vascular sections, graded in relation to the rate of nerve excitation up to maximum at 16 Hz. Stimulation at high rates, which in the steady state caused an average rise of overall regional resistance from 15.3 to 120 PRU (7.8-fold increase), thus raised large-bore arterial vessel resistance from 8.8 to 64 PRU (7.3-fold increase), arteriolar resistance from 4.5 to 49 PRU (10.9-fold increase) and venous resistance from 2.0 to 7 PRU (3.5-fold increase). The rate of resistance development (PRU s^-1) of the sympathetic constrictor response was much higher in the arteriolar than in the other sections, which indicates that the neural control is especially prompt and efficient in the arterioles. A passive component was shown to contribute to the described responses only on the venous side, but in no case by more than 10% of the total sympathetic venous resistance response, which thus is mainly active. Of special functional importance was that the new technique provided information about the adrenergic control of P_c, in absolute figures. From the control value of 19 mmHg, graded sympathetic stimulation caused a graded decline in P_c, at maximum constriction by about 7 mmHg. This resulted in marked net transcapillary fluid absorption, in turn increasing plasma volume.     

Eccentric and concentric torque-velocity characteristics of the quadriceps femoris in man

Summary The primary purpose of this investigation was to study the eccentric and concentric torque-velocity characteristics of the quadriceps femoris in man using a recently developed combined isometric, concentric and eccentric controlled velocity dynamometer (the SPARK System). A secondary purpose was to compare the method error associated with maximal voluntary concentric and eccentric torque output over a range of testing velocities. 21 males (21–32 years) performed on two separate days maximal voluntary isometric, concentric and eccentric contractions of the quadriceps femoris at 4 isokinetic lever arm velocities of 0° · s^–1 (isometric), 30° · s^–1 120° · s^–1 and 270° · s^–1. Eccentric peak torque and angle-specific torques (measured every 10° from 30° to 70°) did not significantly change from 0° · s^–1 to 270° · s^–1 (p>0.05) (with the exception of angle-specific 40° torque, which significantly increased;p<0.05). The mean method error was significantly higher for the eccentric tests (10.6%±1.6%) than for the concentric tests (8.1%±1.7%) (p<0.05). The mean method error decreased slightly with increasing concentric velocity (p>0.05), and increased slightly with increasing eccentric velocity (p>0.05). A tension restricting neural mechanism, if active during maximal eccentric contractions, could possibly account for the large difference seen between the present eccentric torque-velocity results and the classic results obtained from isolated animal muscle.     

A system for interactive film analysis.

An interactive, minicomputer system has been constructed for analyzing dynamic phenomena recorded on movie film in a developmental biology laboratory. The minicomputer interfaces a stop-motion, variable speed projector, a digitizing pen, and real-time graphics display equipment. An analyst uses the pen to digitize features in a film, e.g. by following a cell. A computer-generated animation portraying all data entered is superimposed on the film image and synchronized with it. Noteworthy system features include: image overlays on a large screen, data entry with the projector running, large data capacity, computer control of the projector, and convenient data entry tools.     

Hypothermic Machine Preservation in Liver Transplantation Revisited: Concepts and Criteria in the New Millennium

To overcome the present shortage of liver donors by expansion of the existing donor pool and possibly lengthening of the storage time, hypothermic machine perfusion of the liver as a dynamic preservation method is revisited. The three most important aspects are defined to be the type of preservation solution, the characteristics of perfusion dynamics, and the oxygen supply. Reviewing hypothermic liver machine perfusion experiments, the University of Wisconsin machine preservation solution is the solution most used. It is also found that nothing conclusive can be said about the optimal perfusion characteristics, since either perfusion pressure or perfusion flow is reported. The best estimation is perfusion of the liver in a physiological manner, i.e. pulsatile arterial perfusion and continuous portal venous perfusion. The applied pressures could be chosen to be somewhat lower than physiological pressures to prevent possible endothelial cell damage. Oxygen supply is necessary to achieve optimal preservation of the liver. The minimal amount of partial oxygen pressure required is inversely related to the normalized flow. Incorporating these features in a system based on existing standard surgical and organ sharing procedures and which is able to work stand-alone for 24 h, weighing less than 23 kg, could successfully implement this technique into every day clinical practise.     

纳米锶磷灰石纤维多孔钛复合材料的生物安全性研究

目的评价新型生物材料纳米锶磷灰石纤维多孔钛复合材料的生物安全性。方法对纳米锶磷灰石纤维多孔钛复合材料的生物安全性进行体外评价,分别进行以下实验:急性全身毒性实验;血液相容性评价(溶血试验);热原试验;皮内刺激实验。结果纳米锶磷灰石纤维多孔钛复合材料对生物体无毒性、无致热原性、无刺激性,不引起溶血反应。结论纳米锶磷灰石纤维多孔钛复合材料具有良好的生物安全性,有望作为新型骨植入生物材料应用于临床。     

CD8+T-bet+ cells as a predominant biomarker for inclusion body myositis

Background

Myositis is a heterogeneous group of muscular auto-immune diseases with clinical and pathological criteria that allow the classification of patients into different sub-groups. Inclusion body myositis is the most frequent myositis above fifty years of age. Diagnosing inclusion body myositis requires expertise and is challenging. Little is known concerning the pathogenic mechanisms of this disease in which conventional suppressive-immune therapies are inefficacious.

Ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer sequences do not support the species status of Ampelomyces quisqualis, a hyperparasite of powdery mildew fungi

Phylogenetic relationships among Ampelomyces isolates, pycnidial hyperparasites and biological control agents of powdery mildews, were inferred from internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Currently, these hyperparasites are considered to be a single species, A. quisqualis, despite observed morphological and cultural differences. Ten Ampelomyces isolates, representing seven previously defined ITS RFLP groups, were sequenced and analyzed. Sequence-divergence values among isolates belonging to different RFLP groups ranged from 4.3 to 22.4%, suggesting that these isolates may represent different taxa. When Ampelomyces ITS sequences were analyzed by cladistic methods with the sequences of other ascomycetous fungi, they formed two lineages in the Dothideales. Slow-growing Ampelomyces isolates formed a clade with Leptosphaeria microscopica and L. nodorum, whereas fast-growing Ampelomyces isolates formed a clade with Epicoccum nigrum. Sequence-divergence values between these two clades ranged from 17.3 to 22.4%, suggesting that the taxa in the two clades are not closely related and possibly not congeneric. The data presented here indicate that the identification of `A. quisqualis' isolates used in biological control experiments should be re-evaluated. Received: 10 March 1997 / Accepted: 13 February 1998     

Signal Characteristics of EMG at Different Levels of Muscle Tension

Electromyographic activity of m. rectus femoris at submaximal and maximal voluntary contractions was quantified by conventional integration technique and also be a more “qualitative” procedure of automated motor unit averaging and frequency spectrum analysis. By relating the EMG parameters to produced muscle tension it was observed that the integrated EMG increased in a slightly nonlinear fashion with the increase in muscle force. The other EMG variables also showed clear changes as a function of muscle tension. The averaged motor unit potential (AMUP) and its specific parameters (number of spikes, amplitude, rise time and amplitude-rise time ratio) showed such changes with muscle tension that they may be useful in estimation of the recruitment pattern of the different types of motor units.