HAMLET binding to α-actinin facilitates tumor cell detachment.

Cell adhesion is tightly regulated by specific molecular interactions and detachment from the extracellular matrix modifies proliferation and survival. HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumor cells) is a protein-lipid complex with tumoricidal activity that also triggers tumor cell detachment in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that molecular interactions defining detachment are perturbed in cancer cells. To identify such interactions, cell membrane extracts were used in Far-western blots and HAMLET was shown to bind α-actinins; major F-actin cross-linking proteins and focal adhesion constituents.

The sigma-1 receptor enhances brain plasticity and functional recovery after experimental stroke.

Stroke leads to brain damage with subsequent slow and incomplete recovery of lost brain functions. Enriched housing of stroke-injured rats provides multi-modal sensorimotor stimulation, which improves recovery, although the specific mechanisms involved have not been identified. In rats housed in an enriched environment for two weeks after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion, we found increased sigma-1 receptor expression in peri-infarct areas.

Generation of trisomies in cancer cells by multipolar mitosis and incomplete cytokinesis.

One extra chromosome copy (i.e., trisomy) is the most common type of chromosome aberration in cancer cells.

Reinforced laryngeal mask airway compared with endotracheal tube for adenotonsillectomies.

Background: The endotracheal tube (ETT) has traditionally been considered the best airway device during adenotonsillectomy because a well protected and secured airway is provided. This has been challenged by the introduction of the reinforced laryngeal mask airway (RLMA). It does not kink, is less traumatic during insertion and better tolerated during emergence.

Rho kinase inhibition protects CA1 cells in organotypic hippocampal slices during in vitro ischemia.

The actin cytoskeleton is a dynamic superstructure that regulates multiple cellular functions and that has been implicated in cell death regulation. We investigated whether modulating the neuronal actin cytoskeleton polymerization by Rho-GTPase kinase (ROCK) inhibition influences cell death in hippocampal neuronal cultures and in murine organotypic hippocampal slice cultures subjected to in vitro ischemia (IVI). During IVI, spines on vehicle treated hippocampal neurons collapsed and large dendritic actin aggregates were formed.

Actin redistribution underlies the sparing effect of mild hypothermia on dendritic spine morphology after in vitro ischemia.

Brain hypothermia is at present the most effective neuroprotective treatment against brain ischemia in man. Ischemia induces a redistribution of proteins involved in synaptic functions, which is markedly diminished by therapeutic hypothermia (33 degrees C). Dendritic spines at excitatory synapses are motile and show both shape changes and rearrangement of synaptic proteins as a consequence of neuronal activity.

NORCCAP (Norwegian colorectal cancer prevention): a randomised trial to assess the safety and efficacy of carbon dioxide versus air insufflation in colonoscopy.

Background: To eliminate the risk of combustion during electrosurgical procedures and to reduce patient discomfort, carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation has been recommended during colonoscopy. However, air insufflation is still the standard method, perhaps due to the lack of suitable equipment and shortage of randomised studies.

Aims: This randomised controlled trial was conducted to assess patient tolerance and safety when using CO2 insufflation during colonoscopy.

Hyperglycemia and focal brain ischemia.

The influence of hyperglycemic ischemia on tissue damage and cerebral blood flow was studied in rats subjected to short-lasting transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Rats were made hyperglycemic by intravenous infusion of glucose to a blood glucose level of about 20 mmol/L, and MCA occlusion was performed with the intraluminar filament technique for 15, 30, or 60 minutes, followed by 7 days of recovery. Normoglycemic animals received saline infusion.

Hyperglycemia-exaggerated ischemic brain damage following 30 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion is not due to capillary obstruction.

Transient focal ischemia of brief duration (15-30 min) gives rise to brain damage. In normoglycemic animals this damage usually consists of selective neuronal necrosis (SNN), and is largely confined to the lateral caudoputamen. In hyperglycemic subjects damage occurs more rapidly, involves also neocortical areas, and is often of the pan-necrotic type ('infarction').

Influence of hypoglycemic coma on brain water and osmolality.

To study the effects of pronounced hypoglycemia on brain osmolality and brain edema formation, fasted rats were rendered hypoglycemic by injection of insulin, and subjected to 30 min of hypoglycemic coma. Recovery was accomplished by glucose administration. The change in water content in different brain regions was measured as a change in specific gravity after 30 min of hypoglycemic coma, or 30, 60, and 180 min after glucose administration.

Influence of preischemic hyperglycemia on osmolality and early postischemic edema in the rat brain.

Preischemic hyperglycemia, which raises tissue lactate content during ischemia, is known to aggravate ischemic brain damage. To explore the possibility that the enhanced lactic acidosis gives rise to osmotic damage, we studied the influence of a varied preischemic plasma glucose concentration on the early postischemic edema. Brain edema was measured by the specific-gravity technique.

Influence of two different anaesthetic agents on the newborn and the correlation between foetal oxygenation and induction-delivery time in elective caesarean section.

The PO2 and acid-base balance (pH, PCO2 and base deficit) of the newborn, determined at the moment of birth and at 10 and 60 min after birth, were compared in two series of elective caesarean section, anaesthesia being induced with thiopentone in one series (n = 12), and with ketamine in the other (n = 16). The PO2 and acid base values of umbilical cord blood at birth were correlated with the induction delivery (ID) times of the total series of patients subjected to elective caesarean section (n = 28). The ID-times were varied between 2 and 10 min.

Myocardial blood flow, oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide release of the human heart during hemodilution.

Myocardial blood flow, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide release were studied before and during hemodilution in man. Dextran 70 was used as the dilutional agent to reduce hematocrit values from 37 to 28% (mean). The decrease of oxygen content in arterial blood after hemodilution was compensated by an increase of cardiac output.

Computherm. A new device for measurement of coronary blood flow using the continuous thermodilution technique.

A new device for an automatic determination of coronary sinus blood flow using the thermodilution technique is presented. The measuring equipment consists of four main parts; a thermal dilution-catheter with two signal amplifiers of analogue type, an analogue/digital converter controlled by a microcomputer system, a pump for the control of the rate of injection flow and a control panel and display. The device has been tested in a model test with flow levels between 75 and 200 ml/min.

Evaluation of the continuous thermal dilution technique for measurement of coronary blood flow.

A continuous thermodilution technique has been used in a flow model. It has been difficult to determine the exact flow, but alterations of the flow have been reliably determined. For in vivo measurement the catheter is inserted into the vein of the actual organ.

A gas chromatographic technique for determination of blood flow and metabolism in individual organs (with special reference to the heart).

A method for determining blood flow, oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide release in individual organs is presented. For blood flow measurement an inert gas (N2O) technique was used. Blood contents of O2, CO2 and N2O were measured by a gas chromatographic method with use of a special vacuum chamber for extracting the gases from blood.

Early and late results of controlled ventilation in flail chest.

From 1967 through 1974, a consecutive series of 35 patients with flail chest were treated with intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB). The controlled ventilation contributed to stabilization of the thoracic cage in a favorable position for healing of the fractures. Surgical stabilization of the chest was not attempted in any of the cases.