Clinical and Ethical Challenges in Undertaking LIMPRINT in Vulnerable Populations.

To estimate the prevalence of chronic edema (CO) and wounds within two vulnerable populations, a male high security prison in the East Midlands (United Kingdom) and residential and nursing homes in the United Kingdom and Australia. Methods for screening for CO and wounds were adapted from the main LIMPRINT methodology. In total, 195 inmates were recruited with 22 (11%) having CO.

Reducing avoidable pressure ulcers in the community.

The elimination of avoidable pressure ulcers remains a challenge in healthcare provision, represents an increasing financial burden on resources and continues to affect patients' quality of life. Many pressure ulcers are deemed to be avoidable and there are several factors that can influence this, including the development of a care delivery system and a service delivery strategy that incorporate a comprehensive structure, a meticulous process and measurable outcomes. Nottingham CityCare developed a strategy to reduce avoidable pressure ulcers.

Vacuum-assisted closure of postoperative abdominal wounds: a prospective study.

Background: We aimed to study outcome in patients with an open abdomen in whom the abdominal vacuum-assisted closure system (V.A.C.

Community nurses' practices in managing perianal abscesses.

A survey of community nurses identified that a wide range of dressings, and in some cases unethical practices, are being used for this simple postoperative condition. Communication between hospital, community staff and patients was poor.

Should ABPI be measured in patients with healed venous leg ulcers every three months?

Objective: To assess if three-monthly reassessment of ABPI is necessary and to determine the possibility of identifying which patients may benefit from more frequent reassessment.

Method: The sample comprised 88 consecutive patients with 175 limbs attending community leg ulcer clinics for reassessment after leg ulcer healing had been achieved with compression therapy. Outcome measures were: a fall in ABPI to below 0.

The intracellular chloride ion channel protein CLIC1 undergoes a redox-controlled structural transition.

Most proteins adopt a well defined three-dimensional structure; however, it is increasingly recognized that some proteins can exist with at least two stable conformations. Recently, a class of intracellular chloride ion channel proteins (CLICs) has been shown to exist in both soluble and integral membrane forms. The structure of the soluble form of CLIC1 is typical of a soluble glutathione S-transferase superfamily protein but contains a glutaredoxin-like active site.

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 reduces cell adhesion and induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1), a divergent member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, is linked to the pathogenesis of cancer. To delineate possible roles for MIC-1 in prostate cancer, a number of prostate epithelial cell lines have been studied, including PZ-HPV-7, DU-145, PC-3, and LNCaP cells. Factors regulating the production of MIC-1 protein by these cells and some of the effects of MIC-1 on them were investigated.

Recombinant CLIC1 (NCC27) assembles in lipid bilayers via a pH-dependent two-state process to form chloride ion channels with identical characteristics to those observed in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing CLIC1.

CLIC1 (NCC27) is an unusual, largely intracellular, ion channel that exists in both soluble and membrane-associated forms. The soluble recombinant protein can be expressed in Escherichia coli, a property that has made possible both detailed electrophysiological studies in lipid bilayers and an examination of the mechanism of membrane integration. Soluble E.

Crystal structure of a soluble form of the intracellular chloride ion channel CLIC1 (NCC27) at 1.4-A resolution.

CLIC1 (NCC27) is a member of the highly conserved class of chloride ion channels that exists in both soluble and integral membrane forms. Purified CLIC1 can integrate into synthetic lipid bilayers forming a chloride channel with similar properties to those observed in vivo. The structure of the soluble form of CLIC1 has been determined at 1.

The propeptide of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily member, macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), is a multifunctional domain that can facilitate protein folding and secretion.

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) is a divergent member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. While it is synthesized in a pre-pro form, it is unique among superfamily members because it does not require its propeptide for correct folding or secretion of the mature peptide. To investigate factors that enable these propeptide independent events to occur, we constructed MIC-1/TGF-beta1 chimeras, both with and without a propeptide.

Social structure of the mara (Dolichotis patagonum) as a determinant of gastro-intestinal parasitism.

A one-year study of gastro-intestinal parasitism in a free-ranging population of maras at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, UK, revealed a strong relationship between membership of social units and both intensity and prevalence of infection. The mara, a hystricomorph rodent from southern Argentina, has a social organization including both monogamy and communal denning of the young, an apparently unique combination among mammals. From October 1992 to September 1993, strongyloid parasite loads were estimated from faecal egg counts.

Pharmacological closure of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants using indomethacin.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was diagnosed in 27 (21%) of 129 infants weighing [unk] 1500 g at birth presenting over 1½ years. The incidence of PDA in infants with pulmonary disease, particularly hyaline membrane disease, was higher than that in infants without such disease (31% compared with 16%). 16 (59%) infants with PDA developed congestive cardiac failure (CCF), of whom 12 were [unk] 1000 g at birth.