Musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging: importance of radiography.

Objective: To determine the usefulness of radiography for interpretation of musculoskeletal (MSK) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. DESIGNS AND PATIENTS: In a 1-year period, 1,030 MSK MRI studies were performed in 1,002 patients in our institution. For each study, the interpreting radiologist completed a questionnaire regarding the availability and utility of radiographs, radiological reports and clinical information for the interpretation of the MRI study.

Evaluation of emergency CT scans of the head: is there a community standard?

Objective: This study was designed to assess the accuracy of general radiologists in the interpretation via teleradiology of emergency CT scans of the head.

Materials And Methods: We studied the interpretations of 716 consecutive emergency CT scans of the head by a group of 15 board-certified general radiologists practicing in the community (as opposed to an academic setting). The scans were sent via teleradiology, and the preliminary interpretations were made.

Site-specific positive margins at radical prostatectomy: assessing cancer-control benefits of wide excision of the neurovascular bundle on a side with cancer on biopsy.

Objective: To determine the potential risk of biopsy-selected nerve-sparing surgery based on the findings of site-specific extracapsular extension (ECE) and positive surgical margins (PSMs) in the area of the neurovascular bundle in radical prostatectomy specimens.

Patients And Methods: Controlling for surgical technique and pathological interpretation, 221 consecutive patients had their neurovascular bundles removed on the side with a positive biopsy. The surgical specimens were reviewed for ECE and PSM status, specifically in the area of the neurovascular bundle, from apex to base.

Treatment of chronic haemophilic synovitis in humans with D-penicillamine.

Chronic proliferative synovitis secondary to haemathroses is a major complication in patients with severe haemophilia. Current management strategies include prophylactic infusions of the missing coagulation factor, corticosteroids, synoviorthesis and/or synovectomy with variable degrees of benefit. In addition, patients with coagulation factor inhibitors are not amenable to the invasive therapeutic modalities.

Agonist-specific down-regulation of the human delta-opioid receptor.

Down-regulation of the delta-opioid receptor contributes to the development of tolerance to delta-opioid receptor agonists. The involvement of the carboxy terminus of the mouse delta-opioid receptor in peptide agonist-mediated down-regulation has been established. In the present study, we examined the down-regulation of the truncated human delta-opioid receptor by structurally distinct delta-opioid receptor agonists.

Inhibitory effects of sodium salicylate and acetylsalicylic acid on UVB-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis.

We conducted an in vivo carcinogenesis experiment to determine the efficacy of topical aspirin and sodium salicylate (NAS) in preventing UVB-induced nonmelanoma skin cancer. Hairless SKH-1 mice were randomly divided into eight treatment groups. They were treated topically with either 40 or 10 micromol aspirin or NAS three times weekly before 9 kJ/m(2) UVB irradiation.

Homeopathic constitutional type questionnaire correlates of conventional psychological and physical health scales: individual difference characteristics of young adults.

This study examined associations between scores for 19 different remedies on the constitutional type questionnaire (CTQ) and scores on standardized psychological and medical trait and state scales from health psychology research. Subjects were 104 young adult American college students (mean age 20 years; 67% female). Scales included the chemical intolerance index (CII) for environmental sensitivity, the NEO personality inventory, Marlowe-Crowne social desirability (MCSD) Scale for defensiveness, Harvard parental caring scale (HPCS) for perceived mother and father traits, Profile of Mood State (POMS) scale, Pennebaker symptom checklist (PSC), and a 3-item global health rating scale.

Involvement of Raf-1 in chronic delta-opioid receptor agonist-mediated adenylyl cyclase superactivation.

Chronic delta-opioid receptor agonist treatment of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing the human delta-opioid receptor (hDOR/CHO) leads to increased cAMP formation after the removal of the agonist (adenylyl cyclase superactivation). We have previously found that at the same time, chronic delta-opioid receptor agonist treatment augments phosphorylation of the adenylyl cyclase VI isoenzyme. Since phosphorylation of adenylyl cyclase VI by Raf-1 protein kinase was recently shown, we tested the role of Raf-1 in adenylyl cyclase superactivation in hDOR/CHO cells.

Distal revascularization-interval ligation: a durable and effective treatment for ischemic steal syndrome after hemodialysis access.

Purpose: The treatment of hemodialysis access-induced ischemic steal syndrome is challenging. Despite promising early results with the distal revascularization-interval ligation (DRIL) procedure, the operation has not been widely adopted because of concerns about its complexity and long-term efficacy. The purpose of this report was to determine the efficacy and durability of the DRIL procedure in relieving hand ischemia and in maintaining access patency in the setting of hemodialysis access-induced ischemia.

Outcome of extracranial cervicocephalic arterial dissections: a follow-up study.

Cervicocephalic arterial dissections (CCAD) are an increasingly recognized cause of ischemic stroke in young adults. Various treatments have been suggested but no controlled trial has ever been performed. Medical treatment has included anticoagulant or platelet antiaggregant therapy.

Respiratory-related activation of human abdominal muscles during exercise.

We tested the hypothesis that abdominal muscles are active during the expiratory phase of the respiratory cycle during exercise. Electromyographic (EMG) activities of external oblique and rectus abdominis muscles were recorded during incremental exercise to exhaustion and during 30 min of constant work rate exercise at an intensity of 85 % of the peak oxygen consumption rate (V(O(2))). High amplitude intramuscular EMG activities of both abdominal muscles could be evoked with postural manoeuvres in all subjects.

Evidence for the presence of mutagenic arylamines in human breast milk and DNA adducts in exfoliated breast ductal epithelial cells.

Aromatic and heterocyclic amines are ubiquitous environmental mutagens present in combustion emissions, fried meats, and tobacco smoke, and are suspect human mammary carcinogens. To determine the presence of arylamines in breast tissue and fluid, we examined exfoliated breast ductal epithelial cells for DNA adducts and matched human milk samples for mutagenicity. Breast milk was obtained from 50 women who were 4-6 weeks postpartum, and exfoliated epithelial-cell DNA was evaluated for bulky, nonpolar DNA adducts by (32)P-postlabeling and thin-layer chromatography.

Kissing periosteal chondroma and osteochondroma.

We present an unusual case of two synchronous chondroid matrix lesions in the proximal femur of a 16-year-old male. They were incidental findings, which subsequently underwent surgical excision and confirmed the imaging findings of a "kissing" osteochondroma and a periosteal/juxtacortical chondroma. We could not find another report of these findings in the English literature.

Association between a serotonin transporter promoter region polymorphism and mood response during tryptophan depletion.

This study investigated the relationship between depressive symptom response during tryptophan (TRP) depletion and a functional polymorphism of the promoter region of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter gene (SLC6A4).(1) Forty-three subjects in remission from a major depressive episode who underwent TRP depletion were genotyped. DNA was extracted from blood lymphocytes or from cheek cells.

Integrative medicine and systemic outcomes research: issues in the emergence of a new model for primary health care.

Clinicians and researchers are increasingly using the term integrative medicine to refer to the merging of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with conventional biomedicine. However, combination medicine (CAM added to conventional) is not integrative. Integrative medicine represents a higher-order system of systems of care that emphasizes wellness and healing of the entire person (bio-psycho-socio-spiritual dimensions) as primary goals, drawing on both conventional and CAM approaches in the context of a supportive and effective physician-patient relationship.

Cannabinoid CB(1) receptor expression, activation and detection of endogenous ligand in trabecular meshwork and ciliary process tissues.

Elevated intraocular pressure is the primary risk factor for glaucoma. Cannabinoids interact with molecular targets in the eye and lower intraocular pressure by an unknown mechanism. The purpose of the present study was to examine eye tissues for functional cannabinoid receptors of the neuronal, CB(1) class, and an endogenous ligand, anandamide.

Enteral absorption of erythropoietin in the suckling rat.

Milk contains biologically relevant concentrations of erythropoietin (Epo), the primary hormone responsible for erythrocyte production. In animals, milk-borne Epo stimulates erythropoiesis. Epo receptors have been found in nonerythropoietic tissues including gastrointestinal tract.

Preimplant vein intimal thickness is not a predictor of bypass graft stenosis.

Purpose: Preimplant vein morphology has been implicated as a risk factor for subsequent vein graft failure. It is controversial whether microscopic intimal thickening in random saphenous vein biopsy specimens is associated with an increased risk of graft failure. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of preexisting intimal thickening in a macroscopically normal preimplant vein, and to evaluate whether preimplant vein intimal thickness was predictive of future vein graft stenosis.

Crotalid envenomation: the southern Arizona experience.

Objective: To review a regional experience with the treatment of snakebites.

Setting: Five major southern Arizona hospitals, including two Level I trauma centers.

Design: A review of all snakebite admissions over a five-year period was performed.

Tryptophan depletion and risk of depression relapse: a prospective study of tryptophan depletion as a potential predictor of depressive episodes.

Background: This study investigated the relationship between depressive symptom response during tryptophan depletion and future depressive episodes.

Methods: Twelve subjects with prior major depressive episodes in remission and medication-free for > or =3 months (patients), and 12 matched healthy (control) subjects received two tryptophan depletion tests 1 week apart. During follow-up the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was administered weekly for 1 month, monthly for 3 months, and once at 6 and 12 months.

Disorders of lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle.

Lipid storage myopathies are typically present with recurrent episodes of myoglobinuria and hypoglycemia, triggered by fasting or infection. Dilated cardiomyopathy can occur. This article will discuss an approach to lipid storage myopathies and describes various forms of disorders by fatty acid oxidation.

Epidemiology of actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: The purpose of this article was to review the frequency, distribution, and determinants of actinic keratoses (AKs) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: A review of the literature was done.

Results: AKs are extremely common lesions on the sun-exposed skin of Caucasian persons.

Coupling of human delta-opioid receptor to retinal rod transducin in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the pertussis toxin (Ptx)-sensitive G protein alpha-subunit pool in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and mouse fibroblast (B82) cells. We detected the presence of mRNA for G(ialpha2), G(ialpha3), and G(oalpha) in both cell lines. G(ialpha1) and G(alphaz) mRNAs were not detected.