F-19 MR imaging of glucose metabolism in the rabbit

Noninvasive metabolic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging reflecting glucose metabolism in the aldose-reductase-sorbitol (ARS) pathway was performed in the rabbit head; after administration of the fluorinated glucose analogue 3-fluoro-3-deoxy-D-glucose (3FD-glucose), fluorine-19 images were generated. Images of 3FD-glucose showed significant 3FD-glucose uptake by adipose tissue, indicating its buffering effects in case of excess loads of glucose. Images of 3-fluoro-3-deoxy-D-sorbitol (3FD-sorbitol) demonstrated the spatial distribution of aldose reductase activities and significant sorbitol accumulation in the lens. Images of 3-fluoro-3-deoxy-D-fructose (3FD-fructose) showed preferential uptake of fructose by muscle tissue. The extremely low toxicity of 3FD-glucose indicates promise for its clinical application in metabolic imaging.     

Mosquito densonucleosis viruses cause dramatically different infection phenotypes in the C6/36 Aedes albopictus cell line

Mosquito densoviruses generally establish persistent infections in mosquito cell lines including the C6/36 Aedes albopictus cell line. In contrast, the closely related Haemagogus equinus densovirus (HeDNV) causes dramatic cytopathic effects in the C6/36 Aedes albopictus cell line. Infection of C6/36 cells by HeDNV causes internucleosomal fragmentation of host chromosomal DNA, changes in cellular morphology (membrane budding, apoptotic bodies), caspase activation and exposure of phosphatidylserine on the cellular membrane. This is accompanied by a higher rate of infection and more vigorous production of virus in these cells. These observations are consistent with the induction of apoptosis during infection. In contrast, expression of AeDNV proteins in C6/36 cells does not cause obvious cytopathic effects although NS1 expression causes accumulation of cells in G2 phase. C6/36 cells persistently infected with AeDNV were not protected from superinfection with HeDNV. Thus, there does not seem to be an antiviral state induced by AeDNV persistent infection.     

Genetic markers in the Tuvan population of Todja, Siberia

Todja is a secluded region of northern Tuva situated in the Sayany Mountains, Siberia. The aboriginal population of Todja is Tuvan. A total of 128 healthy Tuvans living in Todja were typed for HLA-A, -B and -C antigens and several plasma and erythrocyte protein polymorphisms (Hp, Tf, Gc, ESD, ACP, PGM1, PGD and ADA). The observed frequencies of all 8 blood protein and HLA genotypes were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The most frequent HLA antigens in Todjans are A2 (0.36). A3 (0,24), A9 (0.50), B15 (0.34) and B40 (0.50). HLA haplotypes A2B5, A2B40, A9B15 and A9B40 are most common in this population. The observed frequencies of protein polymorphisms and HLA antigens and haplotypes in Todjans are similar to those of other Mongoloid populations. A comparison of HLA frequencies currently observed in Todjans with those obtained 20 years ago at the same locality showed minor changes attributable to the effect of migration.     

High-dose immunosuppressive therapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a treatment option in multiple sclerosis

High-dose immunosuppressive therapy (HDIT) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) is a new and promising approach to the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients because currently there are no effective treatment methods for this disease. In this article, we present results of a prospective clinical study of efficacy of HDIT + auto-HSCT in MS patients. The following treatment strategies were employed in the study: "early," "conventional," and "salvage/late" transplantation. Fifty patients with various types of MS were included in this study. No toxic deaths were reported among 50 MS patients; transplantation procedure was well-tolerated by the patients. The efficacy analysis was performed in 45 patients. Twenty-eight patients achieved an objective improvement of neurological symptoms, defined as at least 0.5-point decrease in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score as compared to the baseline and confirmed during 6 months, and 17 patients had disease stabilization (steady EDSS level as compared to the baseline and confirmed during 6 months). The progression-free survival at 6 years after HDIT + auto-HSCT was 72%. Magnetic resonance imaging data were available in 37 patients before transplantation showing disease activity in 43.3%. No active, new, or enlarging lesions were registered in patients without disease progression. In conclusion, HDIT + auto-HSCT suggests positive results in management of patients with different types of MS. Identification of treatment strategies based on the level of disability, namely "early," "conventional," and "salvage/late" transplantation, appears to be feasible to improve treatment outcomes.     

Motor control and cerebral hemispheric specialization in highly qualified judo wrestlers

With the purpose of investigating motor and cognitive lateralization profiles associated with long-term motor training, we investigated differences in hemispheric specialization between proficient judo sportsmen and controls through the assessment of a number of handedness and footedness items including postural preferences as well as dichotic listening and lateralized visual field tests. Our data show that: (1) the different handedness and footedness items did differently relate to each other within the athlete and control groups as revealed by a principle component analysis (PCA); (2) stand side correlated differently to these motor profile factors in athletes and controls; (3) athletes preferred more frequently to perform certain movements with the left hand than controls, although overall right-handed; (4) this was especially true for athletes which proved to be most proficient/skilled; and (5) in a lateralized verbal listening task and a lateralized visual field task athletes revealed enhanced right-hemispheric involvement relative to controls. Our results suggest that during motor and postural skill acquisitions (long-term judo training) lateral preferences are modified, probably due to neuroplasticity. Moreover, the present findings support the multidimensional view of handedness by Steenhuis and Bryden [Cortex 25 (1989) 289] and the notion of a right-hemispheric "praxis system" involved in skilled action routines within peripersonal space [Brain and Cognition 23 (1993) 181].     

Factors linked to bacterial vaginosis in nonpregnant women

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to test the hypothesis that vaginal douching is linked to bacterial vaginosis in both symptomatic and asymptomatic women and to identify other demographic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors associated with bacterial vaginosis. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study involving 3 clinic sites, 496 nonpregnant women completed a self-administered questionnaire. Their vaginal smears were assessed and cross-validated for bacterial vaginosis. RESULTS: The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis across clinics ranged from 15% to 30%. In analyses restricted to site 1, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for bacterial vaginosis remained significant for African American women with 13 or fewer years of education (OR = 5.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1, 14.5), hormone use within the past 6 months (OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.2, 0.8), and vaginal douching within the past 2 months (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.5, 5.6). CONCLUSIONS: Two lifestyle factors emerge as strongly associated with bacterial vaginosis: systemic contraceptives appear protective, whereas douching is linked to an increase in prevalence. The temporal relationship between douching and bacterial vaginosis needs further clarification.     

Digital beam attenuator technique for compensated chest radiography

The feasibility of producing patient-specific beam attenuators for chest radiography has been investigated using an anthropomorphic phantom and a human volunteer. A low-dose test exposure is digitized, processed, and used to print a small cerium filter, which is placed in the x-ray beam near the collimator. The final radiograph is recorded on film. The technique results in relatively uniform film exposure, so that structures in all regions of the chest are simultaneously displayed with optimal film contrast. The equalized exposure improves image quality in the normally underpenetrated regions and reduces the role of cross-scatter from the lungs. The image is analogous to optical or computer-processed unsharp masking techniques, but the processing is accomplished in the x-ray beam and results in an improved exposure distribution, giving advantages that cannot be achieved with image processing techniques alone.     

Fracture of the pars interarticularis in adolescent athletes: a clinical-biomechanical analysis

Stress fracture of the pars interarticularis is an increasing cause of disability in highly competitive adolescent athletes. We have documented this lesion in 14 adolescent athletes engaged in repetitive training and competition exercises involving flexion/extension of the lumbar spine. An in vivo spinal muscle torque study in 11 normal adolescent girls also revealed mean torque values of 22.6 Nm for left lateral flexion and 27.4 Nm for hyperextension. The most common sports resulting in this lesion were gymnastics and hockey. In four patients the lesion was bilateral, and in 10 it was unilateral. Five of the unilateral lesions went on to heal with immobilization in a thoracolumbar spinal orthoses; however, none of the four bilateral lesions or the remaining five unilateral lesions healed in spite of 3 months of immobilization.     

Peculiarities of Cell Seeding on Polylactic Acid-Based Scaffolds Fabricated Using Electrospinning and Solution Blow Spinning Technologies

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine - We studied the possibility of seeding bone marrow-derived stromal cells onto polylactic acid-based scaffolds fabricated by electrospinning and...