Comparison of nonmydriatic digitized video fundus images with standard 35-mm slides to screen for and identify specific lesions of age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare nonmydriatic digitized images obtained using a digital imaging system (resolution of 640 x 480 pixels) with 35-mm slide images for detecting specific findings of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to evaluate its usefulness as a screening tool in detecting signs of AMD.

Methods: Seventeen consecutive patients (33 eyes) underwent digital color imaging (with a nonmydriatic, 45-degree, fundus camera attached to a digital back) and standard 35-mm, 30-degree retinal color photography of the fundus: posterior pole, nasal retina, and temporal retina. The images were later reviewed for the presence or absence of specific retinal findings.

W135 meningococcal disease in England and Wales associated with Hajj 2000 and 2001.

An outbreak of W135 meningococcal disease was seen in 2000 and 2001 among pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia and their contacts. The Public Health Laboratory Service set up enhanced surveillance to monitor spread and virulence of the outbreak strain, and to collect data on case characteristics. The number of cases reported from England and Wales in 2001 was similar to the number reported during 2000, despite a change in the recommendation for pilgrims to receive quadrivalent vaccine (against serogroup A, C, W135, and Y) instead of the A/C vaccine recommended in 2000.

Factors associated with regular marijuana use among high school students: a long-term follow-up study.

The present study investigated whether several behavioral and psychosocial factors measured during early adolescence predicted regular marijuana use 6 years later in a sample of high school students. As part of a school-based survey. 7th-grade students (N = 1,132) reported levels of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use, and were assessed on several domains of psychosocial functioning potentially relevant in the etiology of marijuana use.

Splenic clearance mechanisms of rehydrated, lyophilized platelets.

A variety of platelet substitutes (e.g., rehydrated, lyophilized (RL) platelets, thromboerythrocytes, plateletsomes, infusible platelet membranes, synthocytes, fibrinogen-coated microcapules) are potentially useful as hemostatic agents in transfusion medicine.

Nonparametric permutation tests for functional neuroimaging: a primer with examples.

Requiring only minimal assumptions for validity, nonparametric permutation testing provides a flexible and intuitive methodology for the statistical analysis of data from functional neuroimaging experiments, at some computational expense. Introduced into the functional neuroimaging literature by Holmes et al. ([1996]: J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 16:7-22), the permutation approach readily accounts for the multiple comparisons problem implicit in the standard voxel-by-voxel hypothesis testing framework.

Lack of germline transmission of vector sequences following systemic administration of recombinant AAV-2 vector in males.

A potential consequence of systemic administration of viral vectors is the inadvertent introduction of foreign DNA into recipient germ cells. To evaluate the safety of in vivo recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) mediated gene transfer approaches for hemophilia B, we explored the risk of germline transmission of vector sequences following intramuscular (IM) injection of rAAV in four species of male animals (mouse, rat, rabbit and dog). In vector biodistribution studies in mice and rats, there is a dose-dependent increase in the likelihood that vector sequences can be detected in gonadal DNA using a sensitive PCR technique.

Promoting sun safety among zoo visitors.

Background: Each year, millions of children visit zoological parks, where they are exposed to long bouts of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). We conducted a study in the winter and replicated it in the summer to evaluate an intervention for reducing UVR exposure during the zoo visit.

Methods: Each study used a nonequivalent control group design: one zoological site received the intervention and a second received evaluation only.

Intratracheal administration of recombinant human factor IX (BeneFix) achieves therapeutic levels in hemophilia B dogs.

The purpose of this paper was to establish proof of concept for administration of human recombinant F.IX (rF.IX) by inhalation for therapy of hemophilia B.

Intracellular function in rehydrated lyophilized platelets.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cross-linking and lyophilization on intracellular signalling processes in rehydrated, lyophilized (RL) platelets, which are under development as a platelet substitute for transfusion. Exposure of RL platelets to thrombin resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of several proteins, including 18 kDa and 42 kDa kinase substrates that were shown to be the substrates of myosin light chain and protein kinase C respectively. Cross-linking and lyophilization depleted the platelets of free cytoplasmic ADP and ATP, but had less effect on protein-bound nucleotides.

Local loss of proprioception results in disruption of interjoint coordination during locomotion in the cat.

To investigate the role of localized, proprioceptive feedback in the regulation of interjoint coordination during locomotion, we substantially attenuated neural feedback from the triceps surae muscles in one hindlimb in each of four cats using the method of self-reinnervation. After allowing the recovery of motor innervation, the animals were filmed during level and ramp walking. Deficits were small or undetectable during walking on the level surface or up the ramp, behaviors that require a large range of forces in the triceps surae muscles.

Sustained expression of therapeutic level of factor IX in hemophilia B dogs by AAV-mediated gene therapy in liver.

We demonstrate that a single intraportal vein injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector encoding canine factor IX (cFIX) cDNA under the control of a liver-specific enhancer/promoter leads to a long-term correction of the bleeding disorder in hemophilia B dogs. Stable expression of the therapeutic level of cFIX (5% of normal level) was detected in the plasma of a dog injected with an AAV vector at a dose of 4.6 x 10(12) particles/kg for over 7 months.

Effect of sex, hemodynamics, body size, and other clinical variables on the corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count used as an assessment of coronary blood flow.

Background: Compared with the conventional Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade system, the corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) quantifies coronary blood flow in a more reproducible fashion. The purpose of this study was to determine if the CTFC is affected by sex, body size, hemodynamics, or other selected clinical variables.

Methods And Results: CTFC was measured in 534 coronary arteries from 200 consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography.

Epidemiology of pneumothorax in England.

Background: Little is known of the epidemiology of pneumothorax. Routinely available data on pneumothorax in England are described.

Methods: Patients consulting in primary care with a diagnosis of pneumothorax in each year from 1991 to 1995 inclusive were identified from the General Practice Research Database (GPRD).

A comparison of digital nonmydriatic fundus imaging with standard 35-millimeter slides for diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare nonmydriatic digital images with 35-mm slide images for the detection of diabetic retinal findings.

Study Design: Comparative, observational case series.

Participants: Twenty-two patients with diabetes.

Transcriptional analysis of a superoxide dismutase gene of Borrelia burgdorferi.

A single superoxide dismutase (Sod) gene was identified in Borrelia burgdorferi strains, Borrelia afzelii Ple and Borrelia garinii Pbi. Recombinant enzymatic activity was detected only when sod expression was controlled by the lacZ promoter in the cloning vector. Northern blot analysis with sod- or secA-specific probes identified a common 3.

Comparative evaluation of MR-based partial-volume correction schemes for PET.

Unlabelled: Because of limitations of spatial resolution, quantitative PET measurements of cerebral blood flow, glucose metabolism and neuroreceptor binding are influenced by partial-volume averaging among neighboring tissues with differing tracer concentrations.

Methods: Two MR-based approaches to partial-volume correction of PET images were compared using simulations and a multicompartment phantom. The two-compartment method corrects PET data for the diluting effects of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces.

Reduction in atherosclerotic lesion size in pigs by alphaVbeta3 inhibitors is associated with inhibition of insulin-like growth factor-I-mediated signaling.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a potent stimulant of smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation and has been implicated in the development of experimental atherosclerotic lesions. Because optimal stimulation of SMC in vitro by IGF-I requires ligand occupancy of alphaVbeta3, these studies were conducted to determine whether alphaVbeta3 antagonists would result in a change in lesion size and whether they could alter IGF-I-mediated actions. Clamps were placed on the carotid and femoral arteries of normal pigs that had been fed a high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks.

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is up-regulated on memory T lymphocytes.

The ectoenzyme gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) hydrolyzes glutathione (GSH), is required for the maintenance of normal intracellular GSH levels and modifies the activity of GSH-containing adducts. Previous data suggested that this enzyme was present on mitogen-activated T lymphocytes. However, the level of GGT protein expression on human mononuclear cell subsets has not been determined.

The contribution of 'holiday deaths' to seasonal variations in asthma mortality in England and Wales.

Background: In younger age groups there is a summer peak in asthma deaths, but whether this is due to social or environmental factors is not known. One suggested social factor is a summer holiday away from home during which there may be a lack of compliance with medication or greater difficulty in getting medical help. In older age groups there is a winter peak in asthma deaths.

Persistent expression of canine factor IX in hemophilia B canines.

We previously demonstrated that direct intramuscular injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) carrying the human FIX (hFIX) cDNA can safely be administered to hemophilic B canines and express human factor IX protein; however, the functional activity of the hFIX protein could not be assessed due to anti-human FIX antibody (inhibitor) formation. To test the therapeutic efficacy of rAAV in hemophilic dogs, rAAV type 2 (rAAV2) carrying canine FIX (cFIX) cDNA was injected into the skeletal muscle of two dogs at doses of 1012-13particles. Circulating cFIX protein levels were maintained for 1 year at levels of 1-2% of normal.