Pediatric bicycle-related head injuries: a population-based study in a county without a helmet law.

Background: Head injuries are the leading cause of death among cyclists, 85 % of which can be prevented by wearing a bicycle helmet. This study aims to estimate the incidence of pediatric bicycle-related injuries in Olmsted County and assess differences in injuries between those wearing helmets vs. not.

Biowaiver Monographs for Immediate Release Solid Oral Dosage Forms: Levetiracetam.

Literature and experimental data relevant for the decision to allow a waiver of in vivo bioequivalence (BE) testing for the approval of immediate release (IR) solid oral dosage forms containing levetiracetam are reviewed. Data on solubility and permeability suggest that levetiracetam belongs to class I of the biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS). Levetiracetam's therapeutic use, its wide therapeutic index, and its favorable pharmacokinetic properties make levetiracetam a valid candidate for the BCS-based biowaiver approach.

Polymer-coated PtCo nanoparticles deposited on diblock copolymer templates: chemical selectivity versus topographical effects.

Metal-polymer hybrid films are prepared by deposition of polymer-coated PtCo nanoparticles onto block copolymer templates. For templating, a thin film of the lamella-forming diblock copolymer poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) P(S-b-MMA) is chemically etched and a topographical surface relief with 3 nm height difference is created. Two types of polymer-grafted PtCo nanoparticles are compared to explore the impact of chemical selectivity versus the topographical effect of the nanotemplate.

Implantation and explantation of a wireless epiretinal retina implant device: observations during the EPIRET3 prospective clinical trial.

Purpose: Visual sensations in patients with blindness and retinal degenerations may be restored by electrical stimulation of retinal neurons with implantable microelectrode arrays. A prospective trial was initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a wireless intraocular retinal implant (EPIRET3) in six volunteers with blindness and RP.

Methods: The implant is a remotely controlled, fully intraocular wireless device consisting of a receiver and a stimulator module.

Intraocular epiretinal prosthesis to restore vision in blind humans.

Visual sensations in blind patients suffering from retinal degenerations may be restored by electrical stimulation of retinal neurons using implantable microelectrode arrays. The EPI-RET-3 project was initiated to evaluate a wireless intraocular retinal implant system for human use in terms of safety and efficiency. The implant is a remotely controlled fully intraocular prosthesis consisting of a receiver and a stimulator module.

Restoring visual perception using microsystem technologies: engineering and manufacturing perspectives.

Microsystem technologies offer significant advantages in the development of neural prostheses. In the last two decades, it has become feasible to develop intelligent prostheses that are fully implantable into the human body with respect to functionality, complexity, size, weight, and compactness. Design and development enforce collaboration of various disciplines including physicians, engineers, and scientists.

The dopamine D1 receptor agonist and D2 receptor antagonist LEK-8829 attenuates reinstatement of cocaine-seeking in rats.

Various dopaminergic drugs have been studied for their efficacy in the treatment of cocaine addiction. Pretreatment with either selective dopamine D1 receptor agonists or selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonists prevents reinstatement of cocaine-seeking in animal models of drug craving and relapse. We tested a novel ergoline derivative with combined D1 agonistic and D2 antagonistic effects, 9,10-didehydro- N-methyl- N-(2-propynyl)-6-methyl-8beta-aminomethylergoline bimaleate (LEK-8829), for its effects on cocaine-seeking in the intravenous cocaine self-administration model in rats.

Wireless power and data transmission system for a micro implantable intraocular vision aid.

Wireless power and data transmission system developed for an intraocular vision aid for blind patients will be described. This system is applicable for patients suffering from bilateral corneal opacification but with intact posterior ocular. The system consists of an external unit as well as an implant.

Image acquisition and image processing for the intraocular vision aid.

The contribution describes an "intraocular vision aid (IOVA)" system for patients suffering from corneal opacification. In order to gain patients' acceptance the system has to be miniaturized to a magnitude that image acquisition, image processing, and power supply can be integrated into a portable unit. A CMOS camera whose dynamic range covers more than 100 dB takes pictures of the scenery.

Stereoselective and endothelium-independent action of nicardipine on the isolated porcine coronary artery.

The qualitative and quantitative effects of the (+)-S and (-)-R enantiomers and of the racemic mixture of the Ca2+ channel antagonist, nicardipine, were compared on the isolated porcine coronary artery with intact and removed endothelium. All three forms of nicardipine inhibited the contractions induced by KCl (5-90 mM) in both vessel preparations. The potency (IC50) of the (+)-S and (-)-R enantiomers and of the racemic mixture was 6.

Loss of endothelium mediated vascular relaxation as a response to various clamping pressure. Part I. A pharmacological study.

Background: The contraction/relaxation response of thoracic aortal rings clamped with two clamping pressures to KCl, noradrenaline and carbachol was studied.

Methods: Clamp A had the tip pressure PA = 0.60 N/mm2 and clamp B PB = 5.

Loss of endothelium-mediated vascular relaxation as a response to various clamping pressures.

The contraction/relaxation responses of thoracic aortal rings clamped with two clamping pressures to potassium chloride (KC1), noradrenaline and carbachol were studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to ascertain endothelial lacerations. Clamp A had the tip pressure PA = 0.60 N/mm2 and clamp B PB = 5.

Pharmacological studies with two new ergoline derivatives, the potential antipsychotics LEK-8829 and LEK-8841.

The pharmacological properties of 9,10-didehydro-N-methyl-N-(2-propynyl)-6-methyl-8 beta-aminomethylergoline (LEK-8829) and 9,10-didehydro-N-methyl-N-(2-propynyl)-2-bromo-6-methylergoline -8-beta-carboxamide (LEK-8841), new ergoline derivatives, were compared with those of haloperidol and clozapine by in vitro radioligand displacement assays, various behavioral tests and blood pressure measurements. Both ergolines displayed low affinity for rat striatal 3H-SCH23390 (7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzaze pin e)- labeled dopamine (D)1 binding sites and high affinity for striatal 3H-spiperone-labeled D2 and cortical 3H-ketanserin-labeled serotonin-2 (5-HT2) sites. The ratio of pKi values 5-HT2/D2 was 1.

Behavioral studies on LEK-8804, a new ergoline derivative with potent 5-HT1A receptor agonist and 5-HT2 receptor antagonist activity.

The 5-HT1A receptor-mediated tail flick response in rats and the 5-HT2 receptor-mediated head twitch response in mice were used to study the functional activity of a new ergoline derivative, 9,10-didehydro-N-(2-propynyl)-6-methylergoline-8 beta-carboxamide (LEK-8804). LEK-8804 dose-dependently elicited spontaneous tail flicks in rats, indicating a full 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) agonist activity. This effect was very similar to that produced by the selective 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT, both in terms of potency and time-effect relationship, and was blocked by the selective 5-HT1A antagonist NAN-190.

Structure-activity study of some newly synthesized ergoline derivatives on 5-HT2 receptors and alpha-adrenoceptors in rabbit isolated aorta.

In a structure-activity study, carried out in rabbit isolated aorta, the effect of different structural modifications in the ergoline nucleus upon the activity at 5-HT2 receptors and alpha-adrenoceptors was determined. 9,10-didehydro-N-methyl-N-(2-propynyl)-6-methylergoline-8 beta-carboxamide (LEK 8842) was chosen as the basic backbone of this study. The parent compound LEK 8842 showed strong alpha-adrenoceptor agonistic activity and partial 5-HT2 receptor agonistic activity, and its potency (pD2 = 6.

[Complicated course of a compression syndrome of the popliteal artery in a 36-year-old patient].

The popliteal entrapment syndrome is an entity increasingly reported over the past few years. Anatomical variations should be considered if a localized stenosis or occlusion of the popliteal artery is diagnosed in a young, otherwise healthy individual. This case report documents a complicated course of the disease in a young man in whom diagnosis was made only after futile attempts of intraarterial lysis and dilatation at the time of a second operation.

Systolic and diastolic interaction in the assessment of left ventricular function following surgical cardioplegia.

Using regionally implanted sonomicrometry crystals, we have evaluated a new index of regional function (normalised systolic shortening [NSS]) which integrates the systolic and diastolic properties of the left ventricle. Eight dogs (group I) were subjected to standard cardiopulmonary bypass and 45 min of hypothermic (10 degrees C), hyperkalaemic (25 mEq) crystalloid cardioplegia. Seven dogs (group II) underwent occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery 5 min prior to initiation of cardiac arrest.

Aspiration cytology, immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy of a malignant peripheral neuroectodermal tumor. A case report.

The findings of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, immunocytochemical staining and electron microscopy (EM) in a case of malignant peripheral neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) presenting as a soft tissue mass in the lateral abdominal wall are reported. The immediate evaluation of the aspirate revealed cells of a small round cell malignant tumor. To provide a specific preoperative diagnosis, additional cytologic material was aspirated for immunocytochemical and ultrastructural investigations.

Medullary thyroid carcinomas express chromogranin A and a novel neuroendocrine protein recognized by monoclonal antibody HISL-19.

Purpose And Methods: A number of endocrine peptides and proteins are expressed by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The expression of two newly appreciated neuroendocrine tumor markers, chromogranin A (CgA) and the endocrine antigen defined by monoclonal antibody HISL-19, was determined in 14 MTCs by immunohistology to evaluate the clinical utility of these markers in the diagnosis of MTC. Papillary, follicular, and undifferentiated thyroid tumors were also evaluated along with an MTC cell line.

Immunochemical characterization of a novel secretory protein (defined by monoclonal antibody HISL-19) of peptide hormone producing cells which is distinct from chromogranin A, B, and C.

In this study we have investigated the biochemical properties as well as the subcellular localization of a 67 kD (35/32 kD dimer) polypeptide detected by a monoclonal antibody (HISL-19), which was generated after immunization of BALB/c mice with human islet cell preparations. This protein is expressed by neuronal and peptide hormone producing cells and shares many biochemical and molecular key features with the chromogranin proteins. As demonstrated by one-dimensional and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, monoclonal antibody HISL-19 immunoaffinity chromatography, and immunoelectron microscopy, it is a water-soluble, acidic protein stored within secretory granules of peptide hormone-producing cells, and it is released in detectable amounts into the serum of patients bearing neuroendocrine carcinomas.

The histopathologic identification of CMV infected cells in biopsies of human renal allografts. An evaluation of 100 transplant biopsies by in situ hybridization.

In order to determine the incidence and significance of CMV infected cells within human renal allograft biopsies 100 transplant biopsies were examined for the presence of CMV DNA within the renal tissue specimens using the in situ hybridization technique. In 41 cases CMV infected cells were predominantly found within proximal tubular epithelial cells, although typical nuclear inclusion ("owl eyes") were absent. In only one case was CMV detected within a few glomerular cells.

Monoclonal antibody HISL-19 as an immunocytochemical probe for neuroendocrine differentiation. Its application in diagnostic pathology.

The monoclonal islet cell antibody HISL-19 was generated after immunization of BALB/c mice with human islet cell preparations. Besides reactivity with all cells of the human pancreatic islet, MAb HISL-19 also reacted with other cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system, including anterior pituitary cells, C cells of the thyroid, endocrine cells of the gut and bronchus, the adrenal medulla, and central and peripheral neurons. In this study the authors screened a series of 53 neuroendocrine and 71 nonneuroendocrine tumors for their reactivity with MAb HISL-19 using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique on formalin-fixed and Paraplast-embedded sections.

The value of immunohistochemistry in medullary thyroid carcinoma: a systematic study of 30 cases.

Thirty cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma were investigated by immunoperoxidase staining techniques to evaluate the diagnostic significance of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), somatostatin (SOM), a-subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin (a-hCG), serotonin (5-HT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) immunoreactivity as diagnostic markers in comparison to different calcitonin (CT) staining patterns. Twenty three cases exhibited a strong (group I) or moderate (group II) staining intensity for CT and did not need further immunocytochemical proof for classifying them as medullary carcinoma. From seven cases which showed only a weak or borderline CT-immunoreactivity (group III), six stained positively for NSE and four positively for CEA.