Higher nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in menthol cigarette smokers with and without schizophrenia.

This study examined whether smoking menthol cigarettes was associated with increased biochemical measures of smoke intake. Expired carbon monoxide (CO) and serum nicotine and cotinine were measured in 89 smokers with schizophrenia and 53 control smokers immediately after smoking an afternoon cigarette. Serum nicotine levels (27 vs.

Microsatellite mutation in the maternally/paternally transmitted D18S51 locus: two cases of allele mismatch in the child.

Background: We investigated 2 cases of paternity dispute with 17 autosomal short tandem repeats (STR), that indicated a mismatch to the maternally and paternally inherited allele at D18S51 locus in children under inquiry.

Methods: 17 autosomal and Y STR loci were analyzed using AmpFlSTR Identifiler, PowerPlex 16, AmpFlSTR(R)Y-filertrade mark kits. The mitochondrial DNA hypervariable regions HV1 and HV2 and 6 STR markers on X chromosome were amplified and sequenced.

Characteristics and smoking cessation outcomes of patients returning for repeat tobacco dependence treatment.

Previous studies of tobacco dependence treatment have reported very low cessation rates among smokers who relapse and return to make a subsequent formal attempt to quit. This retrospective cohort study examined 1745 patients who attended a tobacco dependence clinic between 2001 and 2005, and the characteristics and outcomes of those who relapsed and returned for repeat treatment. Patients who returned for repeat treatment showed higher markers of nicotine dependence and were more likely to have a history of treatment for mental health problems than patients who attended the clinic for only one treatment episode.

Effect of enamel preparations on fracture resistance of composite resin buildup of fractures involving dentine in anterior bovine teeth: an in vitro study.

Sixty bovine teeth with simulated mesio-incisal angle fracture were randomly and equally divided in one untreated (control) group and three experimental groups (Bevel, Chamfer and newly introduced Stair-step Chamfer preparation group) to evaluate the effect of enamel preparations on the fracture resistance of composite resin. Post restoration, fracture mechanics approach was used to quantify the failure of composite resins in testing the samples in Instron testing machine. Mean peak failure load (Newton) of composite amongst experimental groups was observed in the order; Chamfer (326.

Factors associated with quitting smoking at a tobacco dependence treatment clinic.

Objective: To identify factors associated with successful quitting at a free tobacco treatment clinic.

Methods: A cohort study of the first 1021 patients who made a quit attempt. Baseline and treatment variables were recorded, and logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with abstinence at 4-week and 6-month follow-up.

Genetic profile of nine STR loci among Goud and Padmashali populations of Andhra Pradesh, India.

We have analysed nine autosomal STR loci (D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820) in Goud and Padmashali populations belonging to Chittoor and Cuddapah districts of Andhra Pradesh, India, respectively. This data was compared with the available data on Indian populations. Heterozygosity (H), power of discrimination (PD), probability exclusion (PE), typical paternity index (TPI), polymorphism information content (PIC), exact test with Bonferroni corrections and Arlequin analysis were carried out.

Evaluation of and compensation for spatial noise of LCDs in medical applications.

Recent developments in liquid crystal display (LCD) technology suggest that this technology will replace the cathode ray tube (CRT) as the most popular softcopy display technology in the medical arena. However, LCDs are far from ideal for medical imaging. One of the principal problems they possess is spatial noise contamination, which requires accurate characterization and appropriate compensation before LCD images can be effectively utilized for reliable diagnosis.

Antigens of goat spermatozoa that recognize homologous zona pellucida.

Goat sperm surface proteins obtained from purified plasma membrane (PPM) vesicles (purity of membrane checked by marker enzymes and transmission electron microscopy) were size fractionated on an fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) gel filtration column. All the seven surface proteins (129, 100, 46, 28, 27, 18 and 10 kDa) obtained were further fractionated and purified on high-efficiency gel filtration (GFC-HPLC) as well as ion exchange (DEAE-HPLC) columns. Antibodies were generated against the PPM and the protein fractions.

Ion exchange in reverse micelles.

The distribution and dynamics of alkali cations inside Na-AOT reverse micelles have been investigated using Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations. Water is modeled using the extended simple point charge (SPC/E) model. Simulations were carried out for alkali salts of Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+ placed into the aqueous core of the reverse micelle, for situations corresponding to one and three molecules of added salt.

Operative vaginal delivery and neonatal and infant adverse outcomes: population based retrospective analysis.

Objective: To compare the risk of neonatal and infant adverse outcomes between vacuum and forceps assisted deliveries.

Design: Population based study.

Setting: US linked natality and mortality birth cohort file and the New Jersey linked natality, mortality, and hospital discharge summary birth cohort file.

Fas-mediated neutrophil apoptosis and associated A1 protein expression during systemic inflammation are regulated independently of both tumor necrosis factor receptors.

TNFR-1 (p55) and Fas share a death domain which is critical for apoptosis signaling whereas TNFR-p55 and TNFR-2 (p75) can activate NF-kappaB leading to anti-apoptotic proteins expression such as A1. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role(s) of TNFR-p55 and TNFR-p75 in Fas-mediated neutrophil apoptosis and A1 expression in a mouse model of endotoxemia. Gene knockout (KO) (p55-/-, p75-/-, p55(-/-)/p75(-/-)) or wild type (WT) mice were injected i.

Expression of membrane associated non-genomic progesterone receptor(s) in caprine spermatozoa.

Mammalian spermatozoa have been used recently to model the study of rapid, non-genomic effects of progesterone on cell. Our study used progesterone-BSA-fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate to indicate the presence of a progesterone receptor on the surface of >90% of a goat sperm population. The sperm possessed the receptor at 0 h and capacitation had no modulating effect on the number of sperm responsive to P-BSA-FITC.

Chemical poisoning in three Telengana districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Medical records of (i) toxico-medico-legal death cases from three districts of Telengana region in the state of Andhra Pradesh, viz. Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Medak, and (ii) clinical toxicology cases in suspected poisoning from hospitals in and around Hyderabad city were examined for a period of 5 calendar years. The age group at risk in both the types of cases is 15-24.

Capacitation and acrosome reaction in buffalo bull spermatozoa assessed by chlortetracycline and Pisum sativum agglutinin fluorescence assay.

Studies on buffalo sperm capacitation have been limited because of the non-availability of a direct assay system. We describe two methods for detecting the acrosomal status of buffalo spermatozoa, namely chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescence assay and Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA) stain. We also test them under various treatment regimens and simultaneously standardize and calibrate them with transmission electron microscopy.

Surface protein changes in goat spermatozoa during capacitation.

Polypeptides of goat sperm surface before and after capacitation were examined by radiolabelling and immunologically using polyclonal antisera. Radioiodination revealed five protein bands having mol wt of 14.8, 72.

Autoantibodies to type VII collagen have heterogeneous subclass and light chain compositions and their complement-activating capacities do not correlate with the inflammatory clinical phenotype.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and bullous systemic lupus erythematosus are blistering skin diseases characterized by IgG autoantibodies that predominantly target the noncollagenous domain 1 of type VII collagen, a skin basement membrane component. The basic immunologic events leading to the blistering processes in these diseases remains unclear. We defined the subclass and light chain compositions of the IgG autoantibodies in 15 patients, in order to gain insight into the blistering mechanism.

Caprine sperm acrosome reaction: promotion by progesterone and homologous zona pellucida.

Experiments were designed to characterize the effect of progesterone and the zona pellucida (ZP) on the goat sperm acrosome reaction (AR) through a comparative study. Goat spermatozoa were incubated for 4h in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate media (KRB) for capacitation. Progesterone and ZP stimulated exocytosis of capacitated spermatozoa in a dose-dependent manner.

Calcium requirement and time course of capacitation of goat spermatozoa assessed by chlortetracycline assay.

We standardized chlortetracycline fluorescent assay for studies of calcium requirement and time course of capacitation of goat spermatozoa. Three distinct fluorescent patterns were easily detected in goat spermatozoa incubated under capacitating conditions. Categorised according to nomenclature reported earlier, these are: 'F' with bright fluorescence in the postacrosomal region, characteristic of uncapacitated acrosomal-intact cells; 'B' with bright fluorescence on the anterior portion of the head and dark band in the postacrosomal region, characteristic of capacitated, acrosome-intact cells; 'AR' with lack of fluorescence on the head characteristic of acrosome-reacted cells.

Diagnosis and management of nocturnal enuresis.

Nocturnal enuresis is a common problem occurring in 15% of children at 5 years of age. Although usually self-limiting, justification for early treatment is founded in the psychological impact on the child. The physician's role in treating enuresis is first to rule out structural causes for enuresis.

Acrosome damage and enzyme leakage of goat spermatozoa during dilution, cooling and freezing.

Semen of Jamunapari goat bucks was frozen in three diluents egg yolk-tris, egg yolk/citrate/glucose, and skim milk/egg yolk. In fresh ejaculated semen over 90% of the spermatozoa had normal head and acrosome morphology. Quantification of goat sperm structure with Giemsa stain revealed significant (P < 0.

Diagnosis and treatment for children who cannot control urination.

Primary NE is probably a condition rooted in biologic problems. There is a strong hereditary component. Altered nervous system function may lead to disorganization of how bladder function is controlled and how vasopressin is released.

Dissolution of sulphur particles by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans: substrate for unattached cells.

The growth of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans on sulphur is known to proceed through the attachment of cells to the sulphur particles. Experiments, However, show that the cells in the liquid phase, which are not attached to the sulphur particles, also grow. It has been shown through the use of a two-compartment membrane reactor that this increase is partially due to the release of ions, corresponding to partially oxidized of sulphur, into the solution by the attached cells.