Transfection of neuroprogenitor cells with iron nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging tracking: cell viability, differentiation, and intracellular localization.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can track labeled cells in the brain. The use of hemagglutinating virus of Japan envelopes (HVJ-Es) to effectively introduce the contrast agent to neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is limited to date despite their high NPC affinity.

Procedures: HVJ-Es and Lipofectamine 2000 were compared as transfection vehicles of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO).

A school-based harm minimization smoking intervention trial: outcome results.

Aims: To determine the impact of a school-based harm minimization smoking intervention compared to traditional abstinence-based approaches.

Design, Setting And Participants: A school-based cluster randomized trial was conducted in Perth, Western Australia in 30 government high schools from 1999 to 2000. Over 4000 students were recruited to participate and schools were assigned randomly to either the harm minimization intervention or a standard abstinence-based programme.

The effect of a school-based sun protection intervention on the development of melanocytic nevi in children: 6-year follow-up.

Because nevi share risk factors with melanoma and are strong risk factors for melanoma, they are suitable biomarkers for evaluating sun protection programs. Kidskin was a trial of a school-based sun protection program in Western Australia that included high and moderate intervention groups and a control group. Schools were assigned nonrandomly to groups.

Child pedestrian safety: the role of behavioural science.

Environmental strategies must be complemented by behavioural approaches to help children learn to use roads safely.

Evaluation of a school-based peer leader bicycle helmet intervention.

Objectives: Bicycle-related injury remains a major cause of death and injury hospitalization among Australian children. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a whole-school intervention to increase the correct wearing of bicycle helmets by primary school children.

Methods: A randomized intervention trial was conducted in 27 Western Australian primary schools.

Incidence of injury in elite junior Rugby Union: a prospective descriptive study.

The high incidence of injury in Rugby Union is well documented, particularly at elite levels of competition. This article describes the incidence and nature of all injuries sustained by elite Western Australian junior Rugby Union players during the 26 weeks up to and including the 1997 National Championship campaign. Informed consent was gained for each participant (n = 44) prior to completion of an extensive baseline questionnaire.

Procedure complications of carotid angioplasty and stent placement without cerebral protection devices.

Object: The goal in this retrospective study was to examine the procedural complication rate for carotid angioplasty and stent placement performed without cerebral protection devices.

Methods: Between March 1996 and December 2003, 167 carotid angioplasty and/or stent placement procedures were performed without cerebral protection devices in 152 patients (57 women and 95 men whose mean age was 64 years, range 19-92 years). Seven of these patients underwent angioplasty alone.

Statistical mapping of functional olfactory connections of the rat brain in vivo.

The olfactory pathway is a unique route into the brain. To better characterize this system in vivo, rat olfactory functional connections were mapped using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and manganese ion (Mn2+) as a transport-mediated tracer combined with newly developed statistical brain image analysis. Six rats underwent imaging on a 1.

MR safety and imaging of neuroform stents at 3T.

The Neuroform stent is a self-expanding nitinol stent designed for use in wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. Heating and imaging artifacts were evaluated by using a porcine carotid artery aneurysm model in a 3T MR system. A suspended Neuroform stent was tested for deflection.

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system at conventional angiography.

Purpose: To retrospectively determine the sensitivity and specificity of cerebral angiography for the diagnosis of primary angiitis of the central nervous system (CNS).

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was not required. Thirty-eight patients (13 men, 25 women; mean age, 55 years) had undergone cerebral angiography followed by cortical and leptomeningeal biopsy for possible primary angiitis of the CNS during an 8-year period.

Histologic and hemodynamic effects of endosaccular platinum coils for intracranial aneurysms.

Over the past 15 years, endosaccular platinum coil therapy for intracranial aneurysms has evolved from clinical pilot studies of investigational devices to common clinical practice. The mechanism by which these coils reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture-the primary goal of intracranial aneurysm treatment-is the focus of this review. Both histological mechanisms of scar formation and hemodynamic mechanisms of flow diversion may be involved.

Expression and initial promoter characterization of PCAN1 in retinal tissue and prostate cell lines.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed neoplasia in men and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in men over 60. In an effort to understand the molecular events leading to prostate cancer, we have identified PCAN1 (prostate cancer gene 1) (also known as GDEP), a gene that is highly expressed in prostate epithelial tissue and frequently mutated in prostate tumors. Here we demonstrate its expression in neural retina, and retinoblastoma cell culture but not retinal pigment epithelial cell culture.

Modelling the growth of Trichoderma virens with limited sampling of digital images.

Aims: Using limited digital image sampling, a model of fungal growth in soil that considers both hyphal production and lysis was constructed for two strains of Trichoderma virens over a range of four temperatures.

Materials And Methods: A growth model was developed by fitting the radial cross sectional data with a modified form of the Ratkowsky equation to determine maximum growth rate and a modified Arrhenius equation to determine maximal rate of decrease in area covered by mycelia. The parameters obtained from a combined equation were then verified by using the data obtained from the whole colony to determine the appropriateness of the model.

Sprouting and synaptic reorganization in the subiculum and CA1 region of the hippocampus in acute and chronic models of partial-onset epilepsy.

Repeated seizures induce permanent alterations in the hippocampal circuitry in experimental models and patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Most studies have concentrated their attention on seizure-induced reorganization of the mossy fiber pathway. The present study examined the projection pathway of the CA1 pyramidal neurons to the subiculum, which is the output of the hippocampal formation in five models of TLE.

Adolescent smoking cessation: development of a school nurse intervention.

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a range of strategies to engage and to enhance secondary school nurse involvement in teenage smoking prevention and cessation. School nurses were willing to assist students to quit smoking, but they felt unprepared. Information provided by nurses involved in a three-stage review, pilot-testing, and trial design resulted in the development of a resource for nurses.

Untreated subarachnoid hemorrhage: who, why, and when?

Object: When subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is caused by an aneurysm or other vascular anomaly, surgery or endovascular treatment is generally indicated. Nevertheless, some patients with SAH do not receive such therapy. The objective of this study was to characterize the patients who do not receive treatment.

Temporary coronary guidewire pacing during percutaneous coronary intervention.

Temporary pacing is occasionally required during percutaneous coronary artery interventions. This can be accomplished by the insertion of a temporary transvenous pacemaker wire into the right ventricle, but there is some risk and inconvenience associated with this approach. Temporary pacing using the coronary artery guidewire was described in 1985 but is used infrequently.

Creating SunSmart schools.

Kidskin was a sun-protection intervention study involving 1776 children attending 33 primary schools in Perth, Western Australia. There were three study groups: a control group, a moderate intervention group and a high intervention group. In addition to receiving a specially designed curricular intervention (1995-1998), the moderate and high intervention groups received an environmental intervention aimed at creating SunSmart schools (1996-1998).

Neurochemical imaging of dementias.

Neurochemical imaging is one of the most established "molecular" imaging techniques. There have been tremendous efforts expended to develop radioligands specific to each neurochemical system. Investigational applications of neurochemical imaging in dementing disorders are extensive.

Assessment of anticoagulation using activated clotting times in patients receiving intravenous enoxaparin during percutaneous coronary intervention.

Enoxaparin is being used more frequently in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this study, we determined the effect of intravenous enoxaparin on activated clotting time (ACT) measurements in the setting of PCI. In 67 consecutive patients, either 1 mg/kg intravenous enoxaparin alone was given for anticoagulation or 0.

Management of ruptures complicating angioplasty and stenting of supraaortic arteries: report of two cases and a review of the literature.

Vessel rupture is a rare complication of angioplasty and stent placement of the supraaortic arteries occurring in two (1.1%) of 180 vessels treated at our institution. Many different approaches to the management of this complication have been proposed.