The value of cholinesterase activity after Kasai operation.

Cholinesterase (ChE) is an enzyme synthesized in the liver. The aim of this study was to determine the value of ChE as an index of liver function. We measured the ChE activity as well as the values of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, aminotransferases and albumin before and 7 days after Kasai operation in 25 infants with biliary atresia.

Quality of life in osteoporotic patients with hip fracture and without fracture.

The aim of this study was to analyse the quality of life in osteoporotic patients with hip fracture and those without fractures. The study included postmenopausal women, 35 with hip fracture and 33 without fractures. The control group included 44 age-matched healthy women.

The cell-mediated immune reaction in the cutaneous lesion of chromoblastomycosis and their correlation with different clinical forms of the disease.

Chromoblastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by dematiaceous fungi inducing skin lesions of difficult treatment and of frequent recurrence. The objective of the present investigation was to characterize cell-mediated tissue reactions in the skin in cases of Chromoblastomycosis using histopathology and immunocytochemistry methods and to correlate them with different clinical forms of Chromoblastomycosis. Biopsies from 19 patients were stained with HE and Giemsa, and serial sections were immunohistochemically stained using CD45RO, CD20, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD1a, CD34, IL4, IL10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma antibodies.

Mutations in PRKCSH cause isolated autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease.

Autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease (ADPLD) is a distinct clinical and genetic entity that can occur independently from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). We previously studied two large kindreds and reported localization of a gene for ADPLD to an approximately 8-Mb region, flanked by markers D19S586/D19S583 and D19S593/D19S579, on chromosome 19p13.2-13.

Clinical profile of autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease.

Most reports on the natural history, manifestations, and treatment of polycystic liver disease are based on the disease as it manifests in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The purpose of this study was to develop a clinical profile of isolated autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease (ADPLD) using nonaffected family members as controls. The study included 146 probands, known affected relatives, and first-degree relatives of affected individuals.

Effect of photoperiod on heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and tonic immobility duration of chickens.

The experimental objectives of the current study were to analyze the effects of photoperiod on heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and tonic immobility duration of laying hens. There were two different trials. The first trial measured heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in 36-wk-old hens of three Spanish breeds of chickens (Castellana, Prat, and Vasca) exposed to lighting programs of 23L:1D, 14L:10D, or 18.

Estimation of heritability for heterophil:lymphocyte ratio in chickens by restricted maximum likelihood. Effects of age, sex, and crossing.

The objectives of the current study were to estimate the heritability of the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and to evaluate the effects of age, sex, and crossing on that ratio. There were three different experiments. In Experiment 1, we used a total of 711 birds from two generations with complete pedigree of a Spanish breed of chickens (Quail Castellana) to estimate the heritability for the leukocyte ratio at 36 wk of age by restricted maximum likelihood.

Influence of mating ratio and group size on indicators of fearfulness and stress of hens and cocks.

The effects of the male to female mating ratio on the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and duration of tonic immobility (indicators of stress and fearfulness, respectively) were analyzed in two different experiments with different group sizes. In Experiment 1, four different mating ratios (1:11, 1:5, 1:3, and 1:1) and 10 different Spanish breeds of chickens were used; each breeding pen had 12 birds. In Experiment 2, two different mating ratios (1:11 and 1:1) and four breeds were analyzed; 60 birds were used.

Mutations in theCOL4A4 and COL4A3 genes cause familial benign hematuria.

Familial benign hematuria (FBH) is a common autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the presence of persistent or recurrent hematuria. The clinical and pathologic features of this syndrome resemble those of early Alport syndrome (AS), and for this reason a common molecular defect has been proposed. The COL4A3/4 genes seem to be involved in both autosomal AS and FBH.

Modifier effect of ENOS in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

A significant phenotypical variability is observed in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). ADPKD is associated with altered endothelial-dependent vasodilation and decreased vascular production of nitric oxide (NO). Thus, ENOS, the gene coding for the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), could have a modifier effect in ADPKD.

War injuries of the talus.

Twenty-eight patients with war fractures of the talus were reviewed to determine the incidence of infection and late functional results. The average age of our patients was 37.5 years.

[Analysis of results of surgical treatment of malleolar fractures].

Late results of operatively treated malleolar fractures were analyzed. 101 patients were operated on, 58 (57.4%) were available for follow-up.

Association between plumage condition and fear and stress levels in five breeds of chickens.

Duration of tonic immobility and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (indices of fear and stress, respectively) were compared in hens having very poor or perfect plumage at 72 wk of age. Five Spanish breeds of chickens (Castellana, Andaluza, Vasca, Villafranquina, and Leonesa) were used. There were significant differences among groups in terms of tonic immobility duration and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (P < 0.

The effect of dynamic compression on the response of articular cartilage to insulin-like growth factor-I.

Articular cartilage is routinely subjected to mechanical forces and to cell-regulatory molecules. Previous studies have shown that mechanical stimuli can influence articular chondrocyte metabolic activity, and biochemical studies have shown that growth factors and cytokines control many of the same cell functions. Little is known, however, of the relationships or interplay, if any, between these two key components of the articular environment.

[Treatment of pseudarthroses of the olecranon with the anatomical hook plate].

We report the results in seven patients treated surgically for nonunion of the olecranon. Four nonunions occurred after primary treatment with tension band wiring and three nonunions occurred after open reduction internal fixation with plates and screws or lag screws only. All patients were treated with cancellous bone grafting and open reduction internal fixation using anatomical hook plates.

Mechanical and physicochemical regulation of the action of insulin-like growth factor-I on articular cartilage.

The development and maintenance of healthy joints is a complex process involving many physical and biological stimuli. This study investigates the interaction between insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and static mechanical compression in the regulation of articular cartilage metabolism. Bovine cartilage explants were treated with concentrations of IGF-I from 0 to 300 ng/ml in the presence or absence of 0-50% static compression, and the transient and steady-state incorporation of [(3)H]proline and [(35)S]sulfate into matrix components were measured.

Reciprocal domain evolution within a transactivator in a restricted sequence space.

offhough the concept of domain merging and shuffling as a major force in protein evolution is well established, it has been difficult to demonstrate how domains coadapt. Here we show evidence of coevolution of the Sinorhizobium meliloti NifA (SmNifA) domains. We found that, because of the lack of a conserved glycine in its DNA-binding domain, this transactivator protein interacts weakly with the enhancers.

[Histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of cutaneous and oral mucosa lesions in disseminated histoplasmosis associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)].

Biopsy specimens of the skin and oral mucosa from twenty-five patients bearing the disseminated form of histoplasmosis (H. capsulatum) associated with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) were studied by histologic and immunohistochemistry techniques. Histologically, the skin lesions showed four different patterns: diffuse macrophage, granulomatous, vasculitic with leukocytoclastic and scarce inflammatory reaction.

Initial results of a new access device for hemodialysis technical note.

Background: A new subcutaneous device (DIALOCKtrade mark) provides vascular access to patients who currently require hemodialysis (HD). The device consists of a port-like valve, implanted subcutaneously below the clavicle, which provides a linear flow passage to two catheters placed in the right atrium via the internal or external jugular vein. The valve is accessed percutaneously with needle-cannulas that functionally convert the device to twin catheters for connecting the patient to the HD lines.

New access device for hemodialysis.

A new subcutaneous device (Dialock; Biolink Corp., Middleboro, MA) provides vascular access to patients who currently require hemodialysis (HD). The device consists of a port-like valve, implanted subcutaneously below the clavicle, which provides a linear flow passage to two catheters placed in the right atrium via the jugular vein.

Prevalence of serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from Brazilian children with invasive infections. Pneumococcal Study Group in Brazil for the SIREVA Project. Regional System for Vaccines in Latin America.

A laboratory surveillance study was developed in Brazil in 1993 to determine capsular types and antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains. By studying 360 strains isolated from children with invasive infections in three different cities, 8 out of 34 types were identified as being the most prevalent and considered as the reference group for further analyses. This group comprised 77.

[Embolization therapy of a femoral hemangiolipoma with intra-osseous invasion].

The paper presents the case of a gigantic inoperable hemangiolipoma of the right upper leg with infiltration into femur. Performed embolization therapy resulted in satisfactory subjective and objective improvement.

[Structural analysis of external fixators of bones and the anatomy of the olecranon process].

Shown is the structural analysis of the broken bone metal fixator and of the anatomic hooked metal sheet for olecranon, from the structural engineering point of view. The FE models are structurally examined using the ICES STRUDL system and the COMPUTERVISION for graphics simulations.