Pain management in gout.

Gout is currently the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men. The overall incidence of gout has increased rapidly in the past 20 years. Clinicians in all fields are likely to experience a patient with acute gout in their career.

Clinically overt infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in animals in New Zealand: a pilot study.

Aim: To describe clinically overt infections with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in animals in New Zealand, characterise clinical isolates, and track their sources.

Methods: MRSA isolates identified in 2005 and 2006 by a veterinary diagnostic laboratory were referred to Massey University for confirmation and characterisation. Clinical information was extracted from the laboratory records or obtained from referring clinicians.

Graded sympatholytic effect of exogenous ATP on postjunctional alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction in the human forearm: implications for vascular control in contracting muscle.

Recent evidence suggests that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) can inhibit vasoconstrictor responses to endogenous noradrenaline release via tyramine in the skeletal muscle circulation, similar to what is observed in contracting muscle. Whether this involves direct modulation of postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptor responsiveness, or is selective for alpha(1)- or alpha(2)-receptors remains unclear. Therefore, in Protocol 1, we tested the hypothesis that exogenous ATP can blunt direct postjunctional alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction in humans.

The use of symmetry to correct Larmor phase aberrations in spin echo scattering angle measurement.

Spin echo scattering angle measurement (SESAME) is a sensitive interference technique for measuring neutron diffraction. The method uses waveplates or birefringent prisms to produce a phase separation (the Larmor phase) between the "up" and "down" spin components of a neutron wavefunction that is initially prepared in a state that is a linear combination of in-phase up and down components. For neutrons, uniformly birefringent optical elements can be constructed from closed solenoids with appropriately shaped cross sections.

Microfluidic devices for terahertz spectroscopy of biomolecules.

We demonstrate microfluidic devices for terahertz spectroscopy of biomolecules in aqueous solutions. The devices are fabricated out of a plastic material that is both mechanically rigid and optically transparent with near-zero dispersion in the terahertz frequency range. Using a lowpower terahertz time-domain spectrometer, we experimentally measure the absorption spectra of the vibrational modes of bovine serum albumin from 0.

Blunted hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in experimental neonatal chronic lung disease.

Rationale: Neonatal chronic lung disease (CLD), caused by prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) with O(2)-rich gas, is the most common cause of long-term hospitalization and recurrent respiratory illness in extremely premature infants. Recurrent episodes of hypoxemia and associated ventilator adjustments often lead to worsening CLD. The mechanism that causes these hypoxemic episodes is unknown.

Type I immediate hypersensitivity reaction to cyanocobalamin but not hydroxycobalamin.

We report a case of a 42-year-old woman with a background of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, who developed a type I immediate hypersensitivity reaction to intramuscular cyanocobalamin. Intradermal testing showed a positive reaction to cyanocobalamin. The patient was subsequently treated with intramuscular hydroxycobalamin after negative intradermal testing to this alternative B(12) compound.

CO(2) Imaging with Saturated Planar Laser-Induced Vibrational Fluorescence.

We present new vibrational (infrared) planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging techniques for CO(2) that use a simple, inexpensive, high-pulse-energy transversely excited atmospheric CO(2) laser to saturate a CO(2) absorption transition at 10.6 mum. Strong excitation by use of a CO(2) laser provides increased signal levels at flame temperatures and simplifies image interpretation.

Sensitive and specific LC-MS assay for quantification of digoxin in human plasma and urine.

Digoxin, a commonly prescribed cardiac glycoside with a narrow therapeutic window, is routinely used in pharmacokinetic studies to assess the in vivo activity of the drug efflux pump P-glycoprotein. To minimize adverse events, a sub-therapeutic dose of digoxin is usually administered, producing low plasma concentrations requiring a sensitive detection technique. Commonly available immunoassay techniques do not provide the required sensitivity to measure these low plasma concentrations and are potentially non-specific in certain subject populations.

Evidence for impaired skeletal muscle contraction-induced rapid vasodilation in aging humans.

We tested the hypothesis that aging is associated with an impaired contraction-induced rapid vasodilation in healthy adults. We reasoned that employing single contractions of a small muscle mass would allow us to isolate the local rapid vasodilatory responses independent of systemic hemodynamic and sympathetic neural influences on forearm hemodynamics. We measured forearm blood flow (Doppler ultrasound) and arterial blood pressure (Finapres) on a beat-by-beat basis and calculated the changes in forearm vascular conductance (DeltaFVC) in response to forearm contractions in 18 young (24 +/- 1 yr) and 13 older (62 +/- 2 yr) healthy subjects.

Zeta potential and electroosmotic mobility in microfluidic devices fabricated from hydrophobic polymers: 2. Slip and interfacial water structure.

We discuss the structure of water at hydrophobic interfaces from the standpoint of its impact on electrokinetic phenomena in microfluidic devices fabricated from hydrophobic polymers such as Teflon or Zeonor. Water structuring at hydrophobic interfaces has been described as a source of interfacial charge (see Part 1, this issue), and dewetting phenomena, whether via depletion layers or nanobubbles, contribute to slip and enhanced apparent electrokinetic potentials. Issues concerning the impact of hydrodynamic slip and the role of diffuse interfacial structures are discussed.

Zeta potential and electroosmotic mobility in microfluidic devices fabricated from hydrophobic polymers: 1. The origins of charge.

This paper combines new experimental data for electrokinetic characterization of hydrophobic polymers with a detailed discussion of the putative origins of charge at water-hydrophobe interfaces. Complexities in determining the origin of charge are discussed in the context of design and modeling challenges for electrokinetic actuation in hydrophobic microfluidic devices with aqueous working fluids. Measurements of interfacial charge are complicated by slip and interfacial water structuring phenomena (see Part 2, this issue).

Effects of pregnancy on CYP3A and P-glycoprotein activities as measured by disposition of midazolam and digoxin: a University of Washington specialized center of research study.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effects of pregnancy on CYP3A and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activities, as measured by disposition of midazolam and digoxin, respectively. Thirteen women received digoxin (0.25 mg p.

Measurements and modeling of acetone laser-induced fluorescence with implications for temperature-imaging diagnostics.

Recent determinations of the temperature dependence of acetone fluorescence have permitted the application of acetone planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging, which was already popular for mapping concentration, to the measurement of temperature. With a view toward developing temperature-imaging diagnostics, we present atmospheric-pressure fluorescence and absorption results acquired with excitation at eight wavelengths across the absorption feature of acetone and at temperatures from 300 to 1000 K. Modeling of the fluorescence yield of acetone is shown to be useful in explaining both these results and the variation of acetone fluorescence with pressure and composition that was observed in several studies.

Severe deterioration of psoriasis due to an insulinoma.

We report a case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with a severe exacerbation of psoriasis with concurrent hypoglycaemic episodes. Methotrexate 17.5 mg weekly was required to control her psoriasis.

The rural rotation in a medical technology program: a ten-year retrospective study.

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a rural rotation as a tool to recruit medical technology program graduates to medically underserved areas.

Design: A paper survey was distributed to all 1994 - 2003 graduates of the West Virginia University Medical Technology Program.

Setting: The survey was mailed to the graduates' homes.

Alcohol consumption and psychological distress in patients with psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis has been associated with excessive alcohol consumption and psychological distress.

Objectives: To investigate the level of alcohol use in a psoriasis population and to determine whether alcohol consumption is linked to psychological distress in patients with psoriasis.

Methods: Ninety-five patients with chronic plaque psoriasis completed validated questionnaires designed to assess psychological distress, current and past alcohol consumption and self-reported physical severity of psoriasis.

Validation of a sensitive LC-MS assay for quantification of glyburide and its metabolite 4-transhydroxy glyburide in plasma and urine: an OPRU Network study.

Glyburide (glibenclamide, INN), a second generation sulfonylurea is widely used in the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). None of the previously reported analytical methods provide adequate sensitivity for the expected sub-nanogram/mL maternal and umbilical cord plasma concentrations of glyburide during pregnancy. We developed and validated a sensitive and low sample volume liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) method for simultaneous determination of glyburide (GLY) and its metabolite, 4-transhydroxy glyburide (M1) in human plasma (0.

Steroid allergy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Contact allergy to a steroid enema leading to worsening of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has recently been reported. This study was designed to look for evidence of steroid allergy in patients with IBD.

Objectives: To look for the presence of steroid allergy in general, and steroid enema allergy in particular, in a cohort of IBD patients prepared to attend for patch testing.

Continuous-flow particle separation by 3D Insulative dielectrophoresis using coherently shaped, dc-biased, ac electric fields.

We present the development of a continuous-flow, "dielectrophoretic spectrometer" based on insulative DEP techniques and three-dimensional geometric design. Hot-embossed thermoplastic devices allow for high-throughput analysis and geometric control of electric fields via ridged microstructures patterned in a high width-to-depth aspect ratio (250:1) channel. We manipulate particles with dc-biased, ac electric fields and generate continuous-output streams of particles with a transverse outlet position specified by linear and nonlinear particle mobilities.

Increased expression of the orphan nuclear receptor NURR1 in psoriasis and modulation following TNF-alpha inhibition.

The orphan nuclear receptor NURR1 belongs to the NR4A subfamily of transcription factors which are emerging as important mediators of cytokine and growth factor signaling. The transcriptional function of these ligand-independent and constitutively active receptors is controlled at the level of expression and nuclear localization. This study examines the expression of NURR1 in psoriasis and biological effects on this receptor following inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) signaling.