Immune response among patients exposed to molds.

Macrocyclic trichothecenes, mycotoxins produced by Stachybotrys chartarum, have been implicated in adverse reactions in individuals exposed to mold-contaminated environments. Cellular and humoral immune responses and the presence of trichothecenes were evaluated in patients with mold-related health complaints. Patients underwent history, physical examination, skin prick/puncture tests with mold extracts, immunological evaluations and their sera were analyzed for trichothecenes.

Motor cortical hyperexcitability in idiopathic scoliosis: could focal dystonia be a subclinical etiological factor?

The aetiology of idiopathic scoliosis (IS) remains unknown; however, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the spine deformity could be the expression of a subclinical nervous system disorder. A defective sensory input or an anomalous sensorimotor integration may lead to an abnormal postural tone and therefore the development of a spine deformity. Inhibition of the motor cortico-cortical excitability is abnormal in dystonia.

Mood profile of an America's Cup team: relationship with muscle damage and injuries.

Purpose: To describe the mood profile of an America's Cup sailing team during competition and to evaluate the influence of previous injuries occurrence and intensity of physical work on the boat upon mood state. Relationships between mood domains and metabolic markers of muscle damage were also investigated.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on an America's Cup yachting race crew comprising 21 male sailors (mean +/- SD; age = 27.

Selective chemical modification of silicon nitride/silicon oxide nanostructures to develop label-free biosensors.

The selective introduction of functional groups on the surface of silicon nitride/silicon oxide nanostructures was studied. Chemical strategies based on organosilane, Si-H and N-H reactivities were assayed. Among these strategies, the use of glutaraldehyde to selectively immobilize biomolecules only on the silicon nitride part of the chip surface was the most effective for the covalent attachment of proteins, maintaining also their bioavailability.

Targeting the degradation of angiotensin II with recombinant angiotensin-converting enzyme 2: prevention of angiotensin II-dependent hypertension.

Angiotensin (Ang)-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) cleaves Ang II to form Ang-(1-7). Here we examined whether soluble human recombinant ACE2 (rACE2) can efficiently lower Ang II and increase Ang-(1-7) and whether rACE2 can prevent hypertension caused by Ang II infusion as a result of systemic versus local mechanisms of ACE2 activity amplification. rACE2 was infused via osmotic minipumps for 3 days in conscious mice or acutely in anesthetized mice.

Early predictors of the need for emergent surgery to control hemorrhage in hypotensive trauma patients.

Twenty-five to 30 per cent of hypotensive trauma patients require an emergent surgery, however, we have no reliable means to quickly determine that need. Our goal was to determine, via retrospective review, parameters available within minutes of arrival that predict the need for emergent surgery to control hemorrhage in hypotensive trauma patients. Inclusion criterion was initial systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mm Hg in the emergency department (ED).

Utility of thoracic computed tomography after blunt trauma: when is chest radiograph enough?

The purpose of this study was to identify the utility of thoracic computed tomography (TCT) in blunt trauma patients with a normal admission chest radiograph (CXR). A retrospective study was performed of 200 consecutive blunt trauma patients who received both CXR and TCT. One hundred and forty-three patients had a normal screening CXR; 36 of these patients (25%) had an abnormal TCT.

Elevated serum pancreatic enzyme levels after hemorrhagic shock predict organ failure and death.

Background: Intraluminal pancreatic enzymes have been shown in animal models to be associated with multiple organ failure after hemorrhagic shock, independent of pancreatitis. The translocation of these enzymes into the circulation may serve as a marker of hemorrhagic shock-induced gut ischemia in critically injured trauma patients. We hypothesized that serum amylase and lipase would be significantly elevated in patients presenting in hemorrhagic shock and in those who develop organ failure.

A phase 2 trial of glufosfamide in combination with gemcitabine in chemotherapy-naive pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: A dose-escalation study of glufosfamide plus gemcitabine showed that the combination could be administered safely at full doses. The purpose of this phase II study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this combination in chemotherapy-naive pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Eligible patients had metastatic and/or locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma, Karnofsky performance status >or=70, creatinine clearance (CrCL) >or=60 mL/min, and acceptable organ function.

Different strategies for sports injury prevention in an America's Cup yachting crew.

Purpose: To analyze the effectiveness in reducing the number of sport injuries after application of different strategies of preventive physiotherapy during competition periods in an America's Cup yachting crew.

Methods: A prospective physiotherapy intervention study during competition periods for three seasons was conducted on an America's Cup yachting race crew of 30 professional sailors. In the first two acts (2004), athletes did not receive any preventive physiotherapy.

Recording diffusion responses from contralateral intercostal muscles after stimulus-triggered electromyography: refining a tool for the assessment of thoracic pedicle screw placement in an experimental porcine model.

Study Design: A new stimulus-triggered electromyography (EMG) test for detecting stimulus diffusion to contralateral intercostal muscles during thoracic pedicle screw placement was assessed in a porcine model.

Objective: To determine if electromyographic thresholds in the intercostal muscles of both sides of the thorax could discriminate thoracic pedicle screw malpositions with and without neural contact at different aspects of the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Summary Of Background Data: There is controversy about the value of triggered EMG stimulation for aiding precise insertion of thoracic pedicle screws.

Sports injuries in an America's Cup yachting crew: A 4-year epidemiological study covering the 2007 challenge.

The aim of this study was to describe the injuries sustained by an America's Cup crew during eight preparatory competitions of the 32nd America's Cup 2007 and the Louis Vuitton Cup (from October 2004 to June 2007). The anatomical location, type of injury, and mechanism of injury were recorded. The injuries were categorized based on each sailor's position on the boat according to three intensities of physical demands.

Differential ectonucleotidase expression in human bladder cancer cell lines.

Bladder cancer is the most prevalent tumor in the genitourinary tract. Nucleotides are important molecules that regulate many pathophysiological functions in the extracellular space. Studies have revealed evidence of a relationship between purinergic signaling and urothelial malignancies.

What is the role of chemotherapy in estrogen receptor-positive, advanced breast cancer?

Most breast tumors depend on female sex hormones for development and growth, thus being amenable to endocrine therapies. In the management of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, advanced breast cancer, conventional wisdom dictates the use of endocrine therapy for patients with good prognostic features, whereas chemotherapy is recommended for the treatment of visceral crisis. There is, however, considerable uncertainty regarding the best initial strategy for patients with poor prognostic features other than visceral crisis, such as small-volume visceral involvement and a short disease-free interval after adjuvant therapy.

Optical slot-waveguide based biochemical sensors.

Slot-waveguides allow light to be guided and strongly confined inside a nanometer-scale region of low refractive index. Thus stronger light-analyte interaction can be obtained as compared to that achievable by a conventional waveguide, in which the propagating beam is confined to the high-refractive-index core of the waveguide. In addition, slot-waveguides can be fabricated by employing CMOS compatible materials and technology, enabling miniaturization, integration with electronic, photonic and fluidic components in a chip, and mass production.

Successful management of occult pneumothorax without tube thoracostomy despite positive pressure ventilation.

The objective of this study was to determine whether tube thoracostomy can be safely avoided in a subset of patients with blunt occult pneumothorax. A retrospective review was performed. Management without tube thoracostomy was attempted for 59 occult pneumothoraces and was successful in 51 (86%).

Pamidronate in the prevention of bone loss after liver transplantation: a randomized controlled trial.

Rapid bone loss and high rates of fractures occur following liver transplantation. To analyze the effect of intravenous pamidronate on bone loss after liver transplantation. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed.

Pharmacologic modulation of ACE2 expression.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an enzymatically active homologue of angiotensin-converting enzyme that degrades angiotensin I, angiotensin II, and other peptides. Recent studies have shown that under pathologic conditions, ACE2 expression in the kidney is altered. In this review, we briefly summarize recent studies dealing with pharmacologic interventions that modulate ACE2 expression.

[Association between indoor contamination and respiratory diseases in children living in Temuco and Padre Las Casas, Chile].

Background: Indoor air pollution, is the main cause of population exposure to polluting agents.

Aim: To establish an environmental profile of indoor contamination emission sources in families of children under 5 years that assist to kindergartens in Temuco and Padre Las Casas. To associate respiratory disease episodes in children with indoor contamination.

Acute care surgery: a new training and practice model in the United States.

The specialty of trauma is at a crossroads. Choosing a career in trauma is associated with concerns related to lifestyle issues and maintenance of adequate operative experience. Trauma and critical care surgeons in the U.

Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin in allergy.

Recent years have witnessed a global increase in allergy and asthma, particularly in developed countries. Attempts to develop effective control measures for allergy and asthma resulted in the exploration of alternate medicines including herbal remedies traditionally used in old world countries. Turmeric is known for its multiple health restoring properties, and has been used in treating several diseases including several respiratory disorders.

Label-free optical biosensing with slot-waveguides.

We demonstrate label-free molecule detection by using an integrated biosensor based on a Si(3)N(4)/SiO(2) slot-waveguide microring resonator. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and anti-BSA molecular binding events on the sensor surface are monitored through the measurement of resonant wavelength shifts with varying biomolecule concentrations. The biosensor exhibited sensitivities of 1.

Gastric carcinoid tumor--incidental finding on endoscopy prior to bariatric surgery.

A 32-year-old female patient with morbid obesity (body mass index 44.4) was submitted to upper digestive endoscopy performed routinely as a preoperative procedure in bariatric surgery. The examination identified multiple small polypoid lesions in the upper portion of the gastric body, some with small ulcerations.

Slot-waveguide biochemical sensor.

We report an experimental demonstration of an integrated biochemical sensor based on a slot-waveguide microring resonator. The microresonator is fabricated on a Si3N4-SiO2 platform and operates at a wavelength of 1.3 microm.