Postpartum sexual functioning and method of delivery: summary of the evidence.

Short-term postpartum sexual problems are highly prevalent, ranging from 22% to 86%; however, there are few studies that address how mode of delivery affects sexual functioning after childbirth. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on selected postpartum sexual function outcomes as affected by cesarean, assisted vaginal, and spontaneous vaginal delivery. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases from January 1990 to September 2003 and focused on mode of delivery and the most commonly reported sexual health outcomes, which included perineal pain, dyspareunia, resumption of intercourse, and self-reported perception of sexual health/sexual problems.

Dissatisfaction and nonuse of assistive devices among frail elders.

This article is based on the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging Consumer Assessments Study. The sample included 1,056 subjects who reported use or nonuse of assistive devices. Of these subjects, 873 identified reasons for not using or being dissatisfied with certain assistive devices.

Conformational similarities in the beta-ionone ring region of the rhodopsin chromophore in its ground state and after photoactivation to the metarhodopsin-I intermediate.

High-resolution solid-state NMR methods have been used to analyze the conformation of the chromophore in the late photointermediate metarhodopsin-I, from observation of (13)C nuclei introduced into the beta-ionone ring (at the C16, C17, and C18 methyl groups) and into the adjoining segment of the polyene chain (at C8). Bovine rhodopsin in its native membrane was also regenerated with retinal that was (13)C-labeled close to the 11-Z bond (C20 methyl group) to provide a reporter for optimizing and quantifying the photoconversion to metarhodopsin-I. Indirect photoconversion via the primary intermediate, bathorhodopin, was adopted as the preferred method since approximately 44% conversion to the metarhodopsin-I component could be achieved, with only low levels (approximately 18%) of ground-state rhodopsin remaining.

ABC transporters of the wheat pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola function as protectants against biotic and xenobiotic toxic compounds.

We have studied the role of five ABC transporter genes (MgAtr to MgAtr5) from the wheat pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola in multidrug resistance (MDR). Complementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants with the ABC transporter genes from M. graminicola showed that all the genes tested encode proteins that provide protection against chemically unrelated compounds, indicating that their products function as multidrug transporters with distinct but overlapping substrate specificities.

Prospective, randomized, double-blind trial investigating the effect of doxycycline on matrix metalloproteinase expression within atherosclerotic carotid plaques.

Background And Purpose: Elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-1 and MMP-9, have been implicated in plaque rupture. It has been suggested that inhibition of MMPs may stabilize vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and improve clinical outcome. The aim of the study was to investigate the ability of doxycycline, a nonspecific MMP inhibitor, to reduce MMP concentration in carotid atheroma.

Aerosolization of protein solutions using thermal inkjet technology.

Vapotronics Inc. is developing the thermal inkjet (TIJ) technology used extensively in the printer industry to create a digital aerosol inhaler for the inhalation of therapeutics for local and systemic delivery. The operation of thermal inkjet printers requires generation of high temperatures and vaporization of the liquid formulation to effect droplet ejection.

Integrated care pathway for carotid endarterectomy patients.

Modern day health care should incorporate strategies for controlling both the cost and quality of clinical interventions, to ensure that care is evidence based, outcomes are monitored and any areas of poor practice are improved. An integrated care pathway for an area of vascular surgery was devised with these issues in mind. The chosen pathway was for patients undergoing surgery to remove atheromatous plaques from the carotid artery.

Enhanced invasive properties exhibited by smooth muscle cells are associated with elevated production of MMP-2 in patients with aortic aneurysms.

Background: abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are associated with excessive vascular matrix remodelling. Recent findings suggest a systemic overproduction of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) by vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) may be pivotal aetiologically. SMC migration is facilitated by MMP mediated proteolysis of the basement membrane and extracellular matrix.

Molecular cloning and characterisation of three new ATP-binding cassette transporter genes from the wheat pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola.

Three single copy ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter encoding genes, designated MgAtr3, MgAtr4, and MgAtr5, were cloned and sequenced from the plant pathogenic fungus Mycosphaerella graminicola. The encoded ABC proteins all exhibit the [NBD-TMS(6)](2) configuration and can be classified as novel members of the pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) class of ABC transporters. The three proteins are highly homologous to other fungal and yeast, ABC proteins involved in multidrug resistance or plant pathogenesis.

Risk factor assessment for patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral arterial disease is a chronic condition that affects a significant proportion of the adult population. Treatment is often prolonged and may be painful, with a slow rate of healing. However, current evidence to support risk-factor assessment highlights the role of the nurse in encouraging lifestyle modification, leading to an improvement in the patient's quality of life.

The association between venous structural alterations and biomechanical weakness in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are associated with generalized arterial dilation, torturosity, and altered matrix composition, which suggests a generalized systemic weakness throughout the entire vasculature. The aim of this study was to determine whether this phenomenon was present in the venous tissue of patients with AAA.

Methods: A segment of inferior mesenteric vein was harvested from patients who underwent aneurysm repair (n = 11) or colectomy for diverticulosis (n = 11; control).

The ex vivo wettability of soft contact lenses.

Purpose: To investigate the ex vivo wettability of Etafilcon A contact lenses over an eight hour period of wear and observe the influence of surfactant pre-treatment.

Methods: Etafilcon A hydrogel lenses, comprising poly[2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid] and 58% water, were soaked for 12 hours in either 0.9% saline (control) or a 1% aqueous solution of poloxamine 1107 (treated).

The callosal dilemma: explaining diaschisis in the context of hemispheric rivalry via a neural network model.

It is often suggested that a major factor in diaschisis is the loss of transcallosal excitation to the intact hemisphere from the lesioned one. However, there is long-standing disagreement in the broader experimental literature about whether transcallosal interhemispheric influences in the human brain are primarily excitatory or inhibitory. Some experimental data are apparently better explained by assuming inhibitory callosal influences.

Ubiquitous elevation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in the vasculature of patients with abdominal aneurysms.

Background: Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) exhibit arterial dilation and altered matrix composition throughout the vasculature. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is the dominant elastase in small AAAs, and overexpression of MMP-2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) may be a primary etiological event in aneurysm genesis. The aim of this study was to investigate MMP-2 production in vascular tissue remote from the abdominal aorta.

Cortical map asymmetries in the context of transcallosal excitatory influences.

There is long-standing disagreement among experimentalists about whether transcallosal interhemispheric influences are primarily excitatory or inhibitory. Past computational models exploring this issue have encountered a similar dilemma: inhibitory callosal influences best explain hemispheric functional asymmetries, but excitatory callosal influences best explain transcallosal diaschisis. We recently hypothesized that this dilemma might be resolved by assuming excitatory callosal influences and a subcortical mechanism for cross-midline inhibition.

Peripheral vascular disease.

This article discusses peripheral vascular disease and its associated risk factors. It outlines clinical patient assessment, medical interventions and the role of the nurse in secondary prevention.

Localization of matrix metalloproteinase 2 within the aneurysmal and normal aortic wall.

Background: Current research has shed new light on the role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). MMP-2 is a major protease in the wall of small aneurysms and is produced at increased levels by smooth muscle cells derived from AAAs compared with normal controls. In vivo, MMP-2 is produced as an inactive proenzyme that is activated predominantly by the cell membrane-bound enzyme, membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP).

Endovascular AAA repair attenuates the inflammatory and renal responses associated with conventional surgery.

Purpose: To quantify the inflammatory and renal parameters in comparative cohorts of patients undergoing surgical or endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

Methods: Forty-three patients (41 men; ages 58-81 years) underwent endovascular or conventional aneurysm surgery according to aortic morphology. All patients received a standard general anesthetic and had 12 serial blood and urine samples collected during the perioperative period.

Increased matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells cultured from abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objectives: Recent evidence has implicated matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in the pathogenesis of aneurysms. The aim of this study was to examine MMP-2 production and expression by aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and dermal fibroblasts derived from patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

Methods: Aortic SMCs and dermal fibroblasts were cultured from patients with AAAs or from age-matched controls with atherosclerosis.

Identification of two major virion protein genes of white spot syndrome virus of shrimp.

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is an invertebrate virus, causing considerable mortality in shrimp. Two structural proteins of WSSV were identified. WSSV virions are enveloped nucleocapsids with a bacilliform morphology with an approximate size of 275 x 120 nm, and a tail-like extension at one end.

Increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity in unstable carotid plaques. A potential role in acute plaque disruption.

Background And Purpose: Acute disruption of atherosclerotic plaques precedes the onset of clinical syndromes, and studies have implicated a role for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in this process. The aim of this study was to establish the character, level, and expression of MMPs in carotid plaques and to correlate this with clinical status, cerebral embolization, and histology.

Methods: Plaques were obtained from 75 consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy and divided into 4 groups according to symptomatology (group 1, asymptomatic; group 2, symptomatic >6 months before surgery; group 3, symptomatic within 1 to 6 months; group 4, symptomatic within 1 month).

Marimastat inhibits elastin degradation and matrix metalloproteinase 2 activity in a model of aneurysm disease.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysms are characterized by degradation of the extracellular matrix, with a reduction in the elastin concentration of the arterial media. These changes have been linked to increased levels of endogenous metalloproteinases (MMPs) within the aorta, particularly MMP-2 and MMP-9. This provides a potential therapeutic target for pharmacological agents aimed at reducing the growth rate of small aneurysms.