Use of autologous Technetium-labelled neutrophils to quantify lung neutrophil clearance in COPD.

Rationale: There is a need to develop imaging protocols which assess neutrophilic inflammation in the lung.

Aim: To quantify whole lung neutrophil accumulation in (1) healthy volunteers (HV) following inhaled lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline and (2) patients with COPD using radiolabelled autologous neutrophils and single-photon emission computed tomography/CT (SPECT/CT).

Methods: 20 patients with COPD (Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) stages 2-3) and 18 HVs were studied.

Remodeling of periorbital, temporal, glabellar, and crow's feet areas with hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin.

Botulinum toxins are currently used to reduce facial muscle activity, and hyaluronic acid is used to correct volume loss. This study evaluates the combination of abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) and hyaluronic acid 20 mg/mL (Perlane) for rejuvenating specific areas of the upper face. Subjects (n = 20) with mild to moderate temporal volume loss as well as glabellar and/or periorbital rhytids were enrolled in this single-center, open-label, nonrandomized pilot study.

Treatment of eyebrow hypotrichosis using bimatoprost: a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled pilot study.

Background: The Food and Drug Administration has approved bimatoprost ophthalmic solution (0.03%) for the treatment of eyelash hypotrichosis. Previous reports of its efficacy in eyebrow hypotrichosis are anecdotal.

Competitive relationships in a fertile grassland community - does size matter?

There is currently much debate about the relative importance of two contrasting mechanisms thought to be involved in regulating plant communities. One of these mechanisms is thought to result from species which possess particular traits, becoming dominant within the community and thus determining the abundance of other species. The second mechanism is thought to result from the complementarity of different species exploiting different resources and thus promoting co-existence.