Myristic acid increases dense lipoprotein secretion by inhibiting apoB degradation and triglyceride recruitment.

Fatty acids of varying lengths and saturation differentially affect plasma apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) levels. To identify mechanisms at the level of production, rat hepatoma cells, McA-RH7777, were incubated with [(35)S]methionine and either fatty acid-BSA complexes or BSA alone. There were increases in labeled apoB-100 secretion with saturated fatty acids palmitic and myristic (MA) (153 +/- 20% and 165 +/- 11%, respectively, relative to BSA).

Spontaneous nontraumatic hemoperitoneum due to a bleeding arteriovenous malformation on the serosal surface of the transverse colon: a case report.

Arteriovenous malformations of the gastrointestinal tract are a very common entity and a frequently cited cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in adults. They are characteristically found in the mucosa or submucosa of the bowel wall, and the vast majority do not cause any symptoms. We discuss the rare case of an extraluminal arteriovenous malformation of the transverse colon in an elderly woman who presented to the emergency department in hypovolemic shock after collapsing at home.

Orthopedic issues after cerebrovascular accident.

Patients who have had a cerebrovascular accident with resultant hemiplegia often present to the orthopedic surgeon with characteristic complaints and deformities. The most common of these include muscle spasticity and contracture, shoulder pain, hip fracture, and heterotopic ossification. Although some of these disorders are clinically evident, others may be easily overlooked.

Lumbosacral interspinous ligament rupture associated with acute intrinsic spinal muscle degeneration.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate lumbosacral interspinous ligament rupture, with or without related acute intrinsic spinal muscle degeneration. This study consisted of a prospective imaging analysis of consecutive 100 MRI studies in adult patients (mean age 56 years) presenting with low back pain. Alterations from the normal in the inter- and perispinal structures of the spine and perispinal soft tissues (e.

The early diagnosis and prevention of gastrointestinal cancer: problems and promises.

Early detection and prevention of gastrointestinal cancer involves screening and surveillance. The efficacy of early detection tests should be subjected to well-designed studies. Clinical recommendation should be made after evaluation of new therapeutic approaches that will be based on our understanding of the molecular and cellular biology and the genetics of gastrointestinal premalignancy and cancer.

Urinary tract infections. How to manage nursing home patients with or without chronic catheterization.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)--including cystitis, pyelonephritis, and catheter-associated infections--are among the most common nursing home-acquired infections. Asymptomatic bacteriuria can be identified in 20 to 50% of nursing home residents who do not have bladder catheters and in 100% of those who do. Diagnostic tests for nursing home patients with suspected UTI include urinalysis, urine culture, and sensitivity testing.

Endosperm-specific expression of green fluorescent protein driven by the hordein promoter is stably inherited in transgenic barley (Hordeum vulgare) plants.

The expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its inheritance were studied in transgenic barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants transformed with a synthetic green fluorescent protein gene [sgfp(S65T)] driven by either a rice actin promoter or a barley endosperm-specific d-hordein promoter. The gene encoding phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (bar), driven by the maize ubiquitin promoter and intron, was used as a selectable marker to identify transgenic tissues.

Immediate radiographic assessment following laparoscopic antireflux operations is unnecessary.

Background: Laparoscopic antireflux operations (LAP) have become increasingly common for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We sought to determine if routine postoperative barium contrast studies following LAP were clinically efficacious in identifying technical problems and life-threatening complications related to the surgical intervention.

Methods: From January 1996 to December 1997, 112 barium studies were performed following 112 LAP procedures (47 male/65 female patients; mean age, 51 years) (group I).

Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of lipoblastoma of the parotid region. A case report.

Background: Lipoblastomas are rare tumors of embryonal fat that occur in infants and children. They are usually located in the extremities and trunk. Two cases in the parotid region have been described.

Beta-amyloid, neuronal death and Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that affects cognitive function in the elderly. Large extracellular beta-amyloid (Abeta) plaques and tau-containing intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles characterize AD from a histopathologic perspective. However, the severity of dementia in AD is more closely related to the degree of the associated neuronal and synaptic loss.

The White Coat Ceremony: turning trust into entitlement.

Purpose: To examine the symbolism of the white coat and the nature of authority as employed in the White Coat Ceremony for incoming first-year medical students. Little has been written concerning the rapid spread, bioethical implications or theoretical underpinnings of this ceremony despite adoption by over 100 medical schools in the United States, international recognition by medical schools in Israel and as the subject of recent editorial opinion in the United Kingdom.

Summary: The short white coat can be a highly useful tool allowing patients to identify practitioners in a liminal state.

Experiences as sports coordinator for the Philadelphia County Special Olympics.

Special Olympics is a year-round training and competition program for mentally challenged athletes older than 8 years. Opportunities for involvement in this program are available to members of the orthopaedic community. Participation requires a physical examination every 3 years.

Penetrating trauma to the head.

Penetrating trauma to the brain is not as common as blunt trauma; however, the incidence is becoming a frequent occurrence in our society. Rapid transport to trauma centers where definitive care can be rendered is essential. Outcome depends on the site of the missile tract, the presenting neurologic status, and the extent of neurologic tissue destruction.

Neuropsychological assessment in traumatic brain injury.

The care of patients provided in trauma centers involves many different variables. One of the complicating factors is related to the cognitive and emotional-behavioral consequences of traumatic brain injury. Impairment in attention, memory, communication skills, or planning and problems solving may present significant impediments in the ability of the patient to participate in his or her health care.

Intrathecal gadolinium-enhanced MR cisternography in the evaluation of clinically suspected cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea in humans: early experience.

In this prospective multicenter study, the authors evaluated the utility of magnetic resonance (MR) cisternography after intrathecal administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine in 15 patients clinically suspected of having cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. By means of lumbar puncture, a single dose of 0.5 mL of gadopentetate dimeglumine was injected into the lumbar subarachnoid space.

Epilepsy in Aging Populations.

Older adults pose special challenges when seizures or epilepsy occur. Increased risk for seizures is often unrecognized. Older adults may have milder epilepsy, and may not require or tolerate standard doses of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).

Alpha-synuclein in familial Alzheimer disease: epitope mapping parallels dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson disease.

Background: Alpha-synuclein is a major component of Lewy bodies (LBs) in Parkinson disease and dementia with LBs and of glial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy. However, epitope mapping for alpha-synuclein is distinctive in different neurodegenerative diseases. The reasons for this are poorly understood but may reflect fundamental differences in disease mechanisms.

Mechanisms of atherosclerotic plaque stabilization for a lipophilic calcium antagonist amlodipine.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the result of atherosclerosis, a vascular disorder characterized by abnormalities in vasoconstriction and endothelial function, ultimately leading to partial or complete vessel occlusion. Because the atherosclerotic plaque is marked by changes in calcium regulation, there has been interest in a potential antiatherosclerotic role for calcium antagonists. In support of this hypothesis, a recent clinical study demonstrated in patients with CAD that treatment with the lipophilic dihydropyridine-type calcium antagonist amlodipine resulted in significantly fewer cardiovascular procedures and events.