Transplantation of epiphyseal plate allografts between animals of different ages.

The purpose of the experiment was to study growth of epiphyseal plate allografts after transplantation into subjects of a different age, thus preparing for future transplantation of epiphyseal plate or extremity allografts in children. Microvascular transplantation of proximal tibial epiphyseal plate allografts was performed in skeletally immature New Zealand White female rabbits. The growth of 9-week-old epiphyseal plate allografts was examined in both 9-week-old and 17-week-old recipients, as was the growth of 17-week-old epiphyseal plate allografts in 17-week-old recipients.

Comparison of ethanol metabolism in male and female cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis).

The physiological consequences of drinking ethanol differ among men and women; however, the biological basis of this gender difference is unknown. Our study characterized sex-related blood ethanol concentration (BEC) 60 min postethanol administration and ethanol elimination rates in male and female monkeys and across the phases of the menstrual cycle. Subjects were male (n = 4) and female (n = 4) cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) with a history of ethanol exposure and maintained at a lean body weight by food restriction.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha sensitizes prostate cancer cells to gamma-irradiation-induced apoptosis.

LNCaP prostate cancer cells are highly resistant to induction of programmed cell death by y-irradiation and somewhat sensitive to the death-inducing effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Simultaneous exposure of LNCaP cells to TNF-alpha and 8 Gy of irradiation was synergistic and resulted in a 3-fold increase of apoptotic cells within 72 h compared to TNF-alpha alone. It appeared that TNF-alpha sensitized the cells to irradiation because, when cells were irradiated 24 h after exposure to TNF-alpha, increased cell death was observed.

Ethanol-like discriminative stimulus effects of endogenous neuroactive steroids: effect of ethanol training dose and dosing procedure.

A number of endogenous steroids exhibit rapid, nongenomic effects on the central nervous system and are called neuroactive steroids. The rapid mechanisms of action include modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are two receptors implicated in the behavioral effects of ethanol. It was hypothesized that neuroactive steroids that positively modulate GABAA receptors or negatively modulate NMDA receptors, analogous to the actions of ethanol, would produce discriminative stimulus effects similar to ethanol.

An ultrastructural study of the intimal hyperplasia in healing microarterial anastomoses.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the ultrastructure of intimal hyperplastic cells. End-to-end microarterial anastomoses were studied in a rabbit free-tissue-transfer model. There were five experimental groups, with 1, 3, 7, 14, or 28 days follow-up.

Ductography for nipple discharge: no replacement for ductal excision.

Background: Current management of nipple discharge depends on clinical history to distinguish pathologic from physiologic discharge. We investigated whether ductography supplied additional information in the decision for surgery and/or the localization of pathologic lesion.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients with a presenting complaint of nipple discharge seen at the Lynn Sage Breast Center was conducted from January 1995 to June 1996.

Pharmacological analysis of the heterogeneous discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol in rats using a three-choice ethanol-dizocilpine-water discrimination.

The present study used a three-choice operant drug discrimination procedure to determine if NMDA-mediated discriminative stimulus effects could be separated from other stimulus effects of 2.0 g/kg ethanol. Adult male Long-Evans rats (n = 7) were trained to discriminate dizocilpine (0.

Radiation-induced apoptosis mediated by retinoblastoma protein.

The role of the retinoblastoma gene product, RB, in transmitting the signals of apoptosis is unclear, but RB is considered to be antiapoptotic because RB mediates cell cycle arrest that also can interrupt intracellular signaling pathways leading to apoptosis. Gamma-radiation can cause apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death, via several mechanisms including DNA damage, ceramide production, and the generation of free radical oxygen species. We investigated the effect of RB on radiation-induced apoptosis by restoring normal RB expression in DU-145 prostate cancer cells that have one deleted and one truncated RB gene.

Unsatisfactory outcome after lower limb salvage: decision-making pitfalls.

We examined unsatisfactory outcome after microvascular reconstruction of 34 injured lower extremities at the Toronto Hospital between 1987 and 1992. Our purpose was to examine those factors that contributed to poor outcome in order to improve decislon making when treating the traumatized lower extremity. For the purpose of this review, poor outcome was defined by either secondary elective amputation or patient dissatisfaction.

Low-temperature carbon utilization is regulated by novel gene activity in the heart of a hibernating mammal.

Hibernation is a physiological adaptation characterized by dramatic decreases in heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism, resulting in long-term dormancy. Hibernating mammals survive for periods up to 6 mo in the absence of food by minimizing carbohydrate catabolism and using triglyceride stores as their primary source of fuel. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the changes from a state of activity to the hibernating state are poorly understood; however, the selective expression of genes offers one level of control.

Metabolic mapping of the effects of oral alcohol self-administration in rats.

The functional effects of the voluntary consumption of ethanol in rats were investigated using the quantitative autoradiographic 2-[14C]deoxyglucose method for measurement of rates of local cerebral glucose utilization. A modified sucrose-substitution procedure was used to train three groups of Wistar rats to self-administer water, a 5% sucrose solution, or a 10% ethanol/5% sucrose solution in daily sessions. Once stable rates of consumption were established, the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose method was applied immediately after completion of the final test session.

Differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases in activated c-ras-Ha-transfected immortalized human keratinocytes.

Elevated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of secreted proteinases that degrade matrix components of basement membranes and connective tissues, is strongly correlated with malignant expression in various human epithelial cancers and epithelial cancer cell lines. We have tested whether elevated levels of MMP expression are also associated with malignant progression in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Constitutive levels of expression of steady-state mRNA and of secreted protein encoded by three MMP genes (matrilysin, gelatinases A and B) were compared in a unique in vitro model of human skin carcinogenesis.

Interaction of swainsonine with lymphoid and highly perfused tissues: a pharmacokinetics explanation for sustained immunomodulation.

The kinetics of inhibition of metastasis by the immunomodulator swainsonine (SW) is effective 1 to 3 days after administration. It is likely that SW's prolonged antimetastatic effect is due to its mitogenic property (spleenocytes isolated from animals treated with SW for 42-72 hours stimulated DNA synthesis that remained elevated for up to 3 days after removal of the drug from the drinking water). An analysis of SW in lymphoid (spleen and thymus) and highly perfused tissues was undertaken to determine if SW's sustained antimetastatic effect could be correlated to its retention.

Assessment of the multiple discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol using an ethanol-pentobarbital-water discrimination in rats.

Previous drug discrimination studies have elucidated the importance of gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate, and serotonin (5-HT) receptor systems in mediating the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol. The present study used a three-choice operant drug discrimination procedure in an attempt to determine if salient GABAergic effects could be separated from other stimulus effects of 2.0 g/kg ethanol.

Limb salvage surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas of the forearm and hand.

Twenty-five consecutive patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the forearm and hand were assessed for limb-salvage surgery and were entered into a prospective study evaluating oncologic details and functional outcome. Seventeen patients had received incomplete primary excision elsewhere and presented with local recurrence or residual disease. Three had pulmonary metastases at the time of presentation.

Complex injuries of the forearm. Coverage considerations.

Complex forearm injuries involve damage to the skin and underlying tissues. The best results are obtained when a multidisciplinary approach is taken to their management. Management of the acute injury should be done in a manner that takes into consideration late reconstructive procedures and best possible final function outcome.

Differences in perceived shape from shading correlate with activity in early visual areas.

The perception of shape from shading depends on the orientation of the shading gradient [1] [2] [3] [4]. Displays composed of elements with vertically oriented shading gradients of opposite polarity produce a strong and stable percept of 'concave' and 'convex' elements. If the shading gradients are rotated 90 degrees , the depth percept is reduced and appears much more ambiguous.

The treatment of minor burns in rural Alabama emergency departments.

Objective: The purposes of this descriptive survey were to determine the treatments for minor burns in rural Alabama emergency departments, to assess how closely those treatments correspond with recommendations for burn therapy noted in the literature, and to identify specific deficits in the burn research literature.

Design: A descriptive survey consisting of open-ended questions was used to gather data on current practices for treating outpatient burn wounds.

Methods: A researcher-developed questionnaire organized into seven categories of burn care was pilot-tested in an urban burn center; the questionnaire was then mailed to 96 rural Alabama hospitals, addressed to the ED nurse manager.

Microsurgical treatment of septic nonunion of the tibia. Quality of life results.

The outcome of microsurgical reconstruction of septic nonunion of the tibia was described. The series consisted of 15 patients, with Cierny Stage IVA or IVB septic nonunion of the tibia, who were treated in the microsurgical practice of a major tertiary care hospital. Patients with a documented end point of either union or amputation were eligible for inclusion.

Educating teachers in children's illnesses: a study.

This study was carried out in response to teachers' concerns about emergency situations involving children with asthma, epilepsy and diabetes. Data were collected on whether teachers had received advice on coping with such emergencies in either their basic teacher training or in-service training, and whether they felt competent to cope with emergencies which could arise. The research found that no overall policy existed and that teachers would appreciate regular updates on the care of these children.

Lower extremity free flaps: a review.

Objective: To identify factors related to free-flap coverage of lower extremity fractures that are linked to a negative outcome.

Design: A chart review.

Setting: A large microsurgical referral centre.

Ethanol-like discriminative stimulus effects of the neurosteroid 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one in female Macaca fascicularis monkeys.

The present study was designed to characterize the discriminative stimulus effects of ethanol and the neurosteroid 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (allopregnanolone) in non-human primates. Female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were trained in a two-lever procedure to discriminate 1.0 g/kg ethanol (IG, 30 min pretreatment) from water using food reinforcement.

Microvascular anastomoses. A comparative study of fibrinogen adhesive and interrupted suture techniques.

A modified sleeve technique was developed for making microsurgical anastomoses using a commercially produced fibrinogen adhesive called Tisseel. A controlled study was then carried out to compare the new fibrinogen adhesive anastomoses with conventional suture anastomoses in a bilateral groin flap model using 50 consecutive rabbits. Statistical analysis of the results indicated that flap survival rate and vascular patency rate were comparable for the two techniques.