Impact of EMS outreach: successful developments in Latin America.

This collection of articles was inspired by the long-standing relationship between the Environmental Mutagen Society and Latin American scientists, and by the program for the 39th Environmental Mutagen Society meeting in Puerto Rico in 2008, which included a symposium featuring "South of the border" scientists. This collection, compiled by Graciela Spivak and Ofelia Olivero, both originally from Argentina, highlights scientists who work in or were trained in Latin American countries and in Puerto Rico in a variety of scientific specialties related to DNA repair and cancer susceptibility, genomic organization and stability, genetic diversity, and environmental contaminants.

Synthesis, Structure and Biological Activity of Amide-Functionalized Titanocenyls: Improving their Cytotoxic Properties.

Nine amide-functionalized titanocenyls have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods and the solid state structure of Cp(CpCO-NH-C(6)H(4)-OCF(3))TiCl(2) was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray analysis of Cp(CpCO-NH-C(6)H(4)-OCF(3))TiCl(2) showed that titanium is in a pseudo tetrahedral geometry and contains a Ti-O(amide) coordination. In principle, Ti-O coordination should provide more hydrolytic stability to the corresponding titanocenyls than titanocene dichloride.

Assessing public preferences for forest biomass based energy in the southern United States.

This article investigated public preferences for forest biomass based liquid biofuels, particularly ethanol blends of 10% (E10) and 85% (E85). We conducted a choice experiment study in three southern states in the United States: Arkansas, Florida, and Virginia. Reducing atmospheric CO(2), decreasing risk of wildfires and pest outbreaks, and enhancing biodiversity were presented to respondents as attributes of using biofuels.

Fractures of the acetabulum in patients aged 60 years and older: an epidemiological and radiological study.

Using a prospective database of 1309 displaced acetabular fractures gathered between 1980 and 2007, we calculated the annual mean age and annual incidence of elderly patients > 60 years of age presenting with these injuries. We compared the clinical details and patterns of fracture between patients > 60 years of age (study group) with those < 60 years (control group). We performed a detailed evaluation of the radiographs of the older group to determine the incidence of radiological characteristics which have been previously described as being associated with a poor patient outcome.

Massive pulmonary embolism and paradoxical migration during surgical embolectomy: role of transesophageal echocardiogram.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the setting of venous thromboembolism is associated with paradoxical embolization. We describe a patient who presented with pulmonary embolism, underwent pulmonary embolectomy, and postoperatively developed paradoxical embolization to the lower extremity.A 27-year-old African American male presented to the hospital with shortness of breath and midsternal chest pain along with neck vein distention.

Total hip arthroplasty after periacetabular osteotomy.

Patients with hip dysplasia often endure multiple surgical interventions, first in attempts to preserve their biologic hips and later for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Each different surgical approach traumatizes the musculoligamentous complex of the hip. These cumulative insults can significantly affect THA success.

Simultaneous bilateral supine anterior approach total hip arthroplasty: evaluation of early complications and short-term rehabilitation.

Simultaneous bilateral anterior approach total hip arthroplasty has been a successful procedure with high patient demand and good short-term clinical results. Complication rates are acceptable and compare favorably with previously published series. The anterior approach takes advantage of supine positioning, allowing improved intraoperative monitoring and anesthesia care.

Outcomes following the single-incision anterior approach to total hip arthroplasty: a multicenter observational study.

The authors conducted a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of 1,152 patients across nine clinical sites across the United States, evaluating complications and function associated with the anterior approach to total hip arthroplasty using an orthopedic table. Eligible patients included those with primary diagnosis of hip arthritis. Outcomes included hospital stay, use of assistive devices, complications, and function.

Water-soluble molybdenocene complexes with both proliferative and antiproliferative effects on cancer cell lines and their binding interactions with human serum albumin.

Two water-soluble molybdenocene complexes containing oxygen chelating ligands, maltolato and malonate, have been synthesized to elucidate the role of the ancillary ligands in the molybdenocene cytotoxic activity. The structural characterizations of these species by 1H NMR and IR spectroscopies suggest that both molybdenocene complexes contain the ligands in a bidentate fashion and elemental analysis and mass spectrometry corroborate the proposed formula for the species to be Cp2Mo(malonate) and [Cp2Mo(maltolato)]Cl (Cp is cyclopentadienyl). Metal-albumin binding studies were pursued using UV-vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetric techniques.

A novel Conus snail polypeptide causes excitotoxicity by blocking desensitization of AMPA receptors.

Background: Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are glutamate-gated ion channels that mediate excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Based on both molecular and pharmacological criteria, iGluRs have been divided into two major classes, the non-NMDA class, which includes both AMPA and kainate subtypes of receptors, and the NMDA class. One evolutionarily conserved feature of iGluRs is their desensitization in the continued presence of glutamate.

Multicenter collaboration in observational research: improving generalizability and efficiency.

Utilizing a multicenter approach in observational clinical research allows for improved generalizability of the results, a larger sample size, and, consequently, improved efficiency. This paper highlights important issues with regard to the organization of multicenter observational studies in orthopaedic research. Specifically, we emphasize the development of trial committees, stress the importance of having a methods center for the purpose of coordinating day-to-day study activities, and describe the roles of the participating clinical sites.

Skeletal deformity after anterior external fixation of the pelvis.

Objective: To study the deformity of acutely injured unstable pelves before and after emergent application of an anterior external fixator.

Design: Retrospective.

Setting: Large pelvic fracture referral practice.

Synthesis, structure, electrochemistry, and cytotoxic properties of ferrocenyl ester derivatives.

A series of ferrocenyl ester complexes, varying the lipophilic character of the pendant groups, was prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. The syntheses of Fe(C(5)H(4)CO(2)CH(3))(2), Fe(CpCOOCH(3)) (CpCOO CH(2)CH(3)), and Fe(CpCOOCH(2)CH(3))(2) are reported. The solid-state structure of Fe(C(5)H(4)CO(2)CH(3))(2) has been determined by X-ray crystallography.

Digital clubbing in HIV-infected patients: an observational study.

Digital clubbing is characterized by bulbous enlargement of the distal phalanges due to an increase in soft tissue. It has been associated with a variety of conditions including cyanotic heart disease, neoplasms and infections of the lungs, bronchiectasis, liver cirrhosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. We conducted an observational study at an urban Veterans Affairs Medical Center outpatient HIV clinic to confirm our clinical impression that clubbing is common in HIV-infected patients and to identify factors that might be associated with it.

Essential role of chromatin remodeling protein Bptf in early mouse embryos and embryonic stem cells.

We have characterized the biological functions of the chromatin remodeling protein Bptf (Bromodomain PHD-finger Transcription Factor), the largest subunit of NURF (Nucleosome Remodeling Factor) in a mammal. Bptf mutants manifest growth defects at the post-implantation stage and are reabsorbed by E8.5.

General anesthetics sensitize the capsaicin receptor transient receptor potential V1.

General anesthetics (GAs) are central nervous system depressants that render patients unresponsive to external stimuli. In contrast, many of these agents are also known to stimulate peripheral sensory nerves, raising the possibility that they may exacerbate tissue inflammation. We have found that pungent GAs excite sensory neurons by directly activating the transient receptor potential (TRP) A1 ion channel.

General anesthetics activate a nociceptive ion channel to enhance pain and inflammation.

General anesthetics (GAs) have transformed surgery through their actions to depress the central nervous system and blunt the perception of surgical insults. Counterintuitively, many of these agents activate peripheral nociceptive neurons. However, the underlying mechanisms and significance of these effects have not been explored.

The final straw: a qualitative study to explore patient decisions to undergo total hip arthroplasty.

Background: Research focusing on the complex factors leading to patients decisions to replace their arthritic hip has been limited in favor of quantitative studies focusing on surgery outcomes. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to further explore patients experiences and their decision-making processes to undergo total hip arthroplasty and (2) to examine the factors that influenced patients decisions about the type of surgical procedure (approach, implants).

Methods: In 2005, 18 patients who were either scheduled for an upcoming total hip arthroplasty or had completed total hip arthroplasty participated in semi-structured interviews (N = 9) or a focus group (N = 9) regarding their decision to undergo hip arthroplasty.

The gene expression profiles of primary and metastatic melanoma yields a transition point of tumor progression and metastasis.

Background: The process of malignant transformation, progression and metastasis of melanoma is poorly understood. Gene expression profiling of human cancer has allowed for a unique insight into the genes that are involved in these processes. Thus, we have attempted to utilize this approach through the analysis of a series of primary, non-metastatic cutaneous tumors and metastatic melanoma samples.

Structure-activity studies of Ti(IV) complexes: aqueous stability and cytotoxic properties in colon cancer HT-29 cells.

As part of our research efforts in the area of titanium-based antitumor agents, we have investigated the cytotoxic activity of [Ti(4)(maltolato)(8)(mu-O)(4)], (Cp-R)(2)TiCl(2) and (Cp-R)CpTiCl(2) (R = CO(2)CH(3) and CO(2)CH(2)CH(3)), and three water-soluble titanocene-amino acid complexes-[Cp(2)Ti(aa)(2)]Cl(2) (aa = L: -cysteine, L: -methionine, and D: -penicillamine)-on the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, HT-29. The capacity of [Ti(4)(maltolato)(8)(mu-O)(4)] to donate Ti(IV) to human apo-transferrin and its hydrolytic stability have been investigated and compared to the previously reported data on modified titanocenes with either hydrophilic ancillary ligands or the functionalized cyclopentadienyl ligands. Notably, the titanium-maltolato complex does not transfer Ti(VI) to human apo-transferrin at any time within the first seven days of its interaction, demonstrating the inert character of this species.

Early-onset of sporadic basal-cell carcinoma: germline mutations in the TP53, PTCH, and XPD genes.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer in the Western world. The objective of this study was to examine together germline mutations in the TP53, PTCH, and XPD genes as risk factors for developing BCC at a young age. We hypothesized that mutations in these genes significantly increase the risk of early-onset BCC (< or = 35 years).

Voltage is a partial activator of rat thermosensitive TRP channels.

TRPV1 and TRPM8 are sensory nerve ion channels activated by heating and cooling, respectively. A variety of physical and chemical stimuli activate these receptors in a synergistic manner but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Both channels are voltage sensitive, and temperature and ligands modulate this voltage dependence.

Table-skeletal fixation as an adjunct to pelvic ring reduction.

The reduction of displaced pelvic ring injuries remains a technical challenge, especially when treatment is delayed. A pelvic frame (Orthopaedic Systems Inc, Union City, California) provides a means of external skeletal fixation, rigidly stabilizing the intact hemipelvis to the operating room table. The fractured and displaced fragments can then be manipulated around the securely fixed uninjured hemipelvis, allowing the application of more directions and magnitudes of force for reduction maneuvers than allowed by the traditional means of pelvic reduction.

Long-lasting NMDA receptor-mediated EPSCs in mouse striatal medium spiny neurons.

Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) from dorsolateral medium spiny neurons (MSNs) were recorded in cortico-striatal slice preparations from postnatal day 6-8 (P6-8) and >P12 wild-type mice and mice that were lacking either the NR2A or the NR2C subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. EPSCs were elicited by stimulation of the excitatory afferents and the NMDA and non-NMDA receptor-mediated components were pharmacologically isolated. The ratio of these components decreased with development and was significantly reduced only between age-matched +/+ and NR2A -/- neurons.

Synthesis, Ti(IV) intake by apotransferrin and cytotoxic properties of functionalized titanocene dichlorides.

Functionalization of cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligands and incorporation of these into a Ti(IV) center require careful design and selection of the appropriate synthetic routes to obtain the desired product in reasonably good yields. As part of our research efforts in the area of titanocene antitumor agents, we have revisited the synthesis of Cp rings with electron-withdrawing groups and their corresponding titanocene dichlorides, (Cp-R)(2)TiCl(2) and (Cp-R)CpTiCl(2), where R is CO(2)CH(3) and CO(2)CH(2)CH(3). These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and (1)H and (13)C NMR and IR spectroscopies.