Chemoarchitecture and afferent connections of the "olfactostriatum": a specialized vomeronasal structure within the basal ganglia of snakes.

The olfactostriatum, a portion of the striatal complex of snakes, is the major tertiary vomeronasal structure in the ophidian brain, receiving substantial afferents from the nucleus sphericus, the primary target of accessory olfactory bulb efferents. In the present study, we have characterized the olfactostriatum of garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) on the basis of chemoarchitecture (distribution of serotonin, neuropeptide Y and tyrosine hydroxylase) and hodology (afferent connections). The olfactostriatum is densely immunoreactive for serotonin and neuropeptide Y and shows moderate-to-weak immunoreactivity for tyrosine hydroxylase.

Epidermal growth factor reduces intestinal apoptosis in an experimental model of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal disease of premature infants. Although end-stage NEC is characterized histopathologically as extensive necrosis, apoptosis may account for the initial loss of epithelium before full development of disease. We have previously shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) reduces the incidence of NEC in a rat model.

Impact of body mass index on graft failure and overall survival following liver transplant.

Goals: To assess the influence of body mass index (BMI) in the outcome of liver transplantation.

Background: Body mass index appears to affect liver transplantation, independently of several risk factors.

Study: A review of the United Network for Organ Sharing database included 32 515 liver transplants from 1992 through 2000 with at least one follow-up visit, of which 26 920 had information for determining BMI.

The protective nature of Chironomus luridus larval tubes against copper sulfate.

The objective of this study was to determine whether the tubes in which Chironomus larvae dwell protect them against chemical toxicants. A laboratory culture of an Israeli benthic midge, Chironomus luridus, was exposed to copper sulfate. Two conditions were tested in bioassay experiments: larvae within silt tubes and larvae without tubes.

Diagnostic value of galectin-3 as a marker for malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions.

Background: The determination of malignancy in follicular patterned thyroid lesions is based on postoperative histologic findings. Therefore, affected patients are referred for surgery, although only 20% will have a final diagnosis of malignancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of galectin-3 as a marker of malignancy in these lesions.

Lactobacillus GG bacteria ameliorate arthritis in Lewis rats.

Probiotic bacteria have beneficial effects in infectious and inflammatory diseases, principally in bowel disorders. In the case of chronic progressive autoimmune arthritides, a major goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation. We hypothesized that probiotic bacteria would ameliorate inflammation found in arthritis models.

Closure of skin incisions in rabbits by laser soldering II: Tensile strength.

Background And Objectives: The basic characteristic property of wound closure is the immediate and long-term tensile strength (LTS). The objective of the current study was to compare tissue laser soldering to other available methods (i.e.

Closure of skin incisions in rabbits by laser soldering: I: Wound healing pattern.

Background And Objectives: Temperature-controlled tissue laser soldering is an innovative sutureless technique awaiting only solid experimental data to become the gold-standard surgical procedure for incision closure. The goals of the current study were: (1) to define the optimal laser soldering conditions, (2) to explore the immediate skin reparative healing events after sealing the wound, and (3) to determine the long-term trajectory of skin wound healing.

Study Design/materials And Methods: Skin incisions were generated over rabbit dorsa and were closed using different wound-closure interventions, in three groups: (a) closure, using a temperature-controlled infrared fiberoptic CO2 laser system, employing 47% bovine serum albumin as a solder; (b) wound closure by cyanoacrylate glues; and (c) wound closure by sutures.

Outcome of infections caused by multiple drug-resistant bacteria in liver transplant recipients.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of infections caused by multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria on the clinical outcome of liver transplant recipients.

Methods: Retrospective study including all episodes of bacterial infection diagnosed in patients undergoing liver transplantation from January 19, 1999, to June 30, 2002. The diagnosis of bacterial infection required microbiological documentation.

Development of the Health and Work Questionnaire (HWQ): an instrument for assessing workplace productivity in relation to worker health.

Background: Workplace productivity evaluations often involve subjective assessments. This study was performed to develop and validate a new multidimensional instrument, the Health and Work Questionnaire (HWQ), for measuring workplace productivity and worker heath.

Methods: In a prospective, non-randomized study, objective and subjective workplace productivity (measured with the HWQ) was assessed among 96 current, 94 former, and 104 non-smoking volunteer reservation agents at a US-based international airline.

Laparoscopic laser soldering for repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the porcine model.

Background And Purpose: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is used for the repair of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Our objective was to introduce laser soldering to this procedure.

Materials And Methods: We developed a system based on a CO2 laser, an infrared detector, and two infrared transmitting optical fibers to obtain temperature-controlled laser soldering of cuts in tissues.

Patient recall and recall bias of health state and health status.

The reliability of recall patient reported outcomes, such as health-related quality of life, satisfaction and symptoms, varies substantially. The objectives of this special report are to identify key issues to consider in study design and provide suggestions for minimizing bias in studies including patient reported outcomes. A MEDLINE search identified several areas in which patient recall is subject to bias.

Liver transplantation with monosegment from a living donor.

The shortage of organ donors for low-weight liver transplant recipients, especially for small children, has led to the development of new surgical techniques to increase the donor pool. Almost all of these techniques use the left lateral segment (Couinaud's segments II and III), but even this graft could be too large for children under 10 kg. We report here the case of an 8-month-old boy, weighing 6.

Allergic rhinitis: a potential cause of increased asthma medication use, costs, and morbidity.

Allergic rhinitis and asthma each require costly medical resource utilization, and the impact of both conditions is believed to be even greater. This retrospective cost of illness study evaluated the impact of allergic rhinitis on asthma medical care resource utilization rates and costs for patients with asthma plus allergic rhinitis vs. patients with asthma alone.

Calbindin D28k, parvalbumin, and calretinin immunoreactivity in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs of the gray short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica.

The vertebrate main and accessory olfactory bulbs (MOB and AOB) are the first synaptic sites in the olfactory pathways. The MOB is a cortical structure phylogenetically well conserved in its laminar structure and overall synaptic organization, while the AOB has significant species variation in size. In order to better understand signal processing in the two olfactory systems and the species differences, immunocytochemical staining and analysis were done of the neuronal expression patterns of the calcium-binding proteins calbindin D28k (CB), parvalbumin (PV), and calretinin (CR) in the MOB and AOB in a marsupial species, the gray short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica.

Impact of long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy on bone mineral density: results of a meta-analysis.

Background: The impact of long-term inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) is poorly understood.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of long-term ICS use on BMD.

Methods: Random-effects meta-analysis.

Chironomid egg masses as a natural reservoir of Vibrio cholerae non-O1 and non-O139 in freshwater habitats.

Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae, and an estimated 120,000 deaths from cholera occur globally every year. The natural reservoir of the bacterium is environmental. A recent report indicated an association between V.

A pilot study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the administration of AZT/3TC fixed dose combination to HIV infected pregnant women and their infants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of zidovudine and lamivudine (AZT/3TC) given to HIV infected pregnant women and their infants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Methods: This open label phase II study enrolled 40 HIV infected antiretroviral naive women >or=20 weeks gestation, CD4 <500 cells x10(6)/l, from two public hospitals.

Treatment: fixed dose AZT 300 mg/3TC 150 mg by mouth every 12 hours until labour; AZT 300 mg by mouth every 3 hours until delivery; infants: AZT 4 mg/kg every 12 hours plus 3TC 2 mg/kg every 12 hours for 6 weeks.

Conspecific odor investigation by gray short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica).

Gray short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica) are small marsupials, which have recently become the subjects of numerous laboratory investigations. While these opossums have well-developed olfactory systems and complex scent-marking behaviors, the significance of their use of odors in conspecific communication is still poorly understood. Investigation of body odors by male and female opossums was examined in the present study.

Radiographic analysis of zebrafish skeletal defects.

Systematic identification of skeletal dysplasias in model vertebrates provides insight into the pathogenesis of human skeletal disorders and can aid in the identification of orthologous human genes. We are undertaking a mutagenesis screen for skeletal dysplasias in adult zebrafish, using radiography to detect abnormalities in skeletal anatomy and bone morphology. We have isolated chihuahua, a dominant mutation causing a general defect in bone growth.

The economic impact of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in the United States and Canada: a literature review.

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) are recurrent and potentially severe medical events for the 13 million people in the United States who have chronic bronchitis. Medical resource use associated with AECB can have a substantial economic impact on the patients, health care system, and society overall.

Objective: To evaluate literature on the economic impact of AECB in terms of cost of illness, cost of treatments, and cost-effectiveness.