Synthesis and characterization of highly-magnetic biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanospheres.

The objective of this study was to develop high magnetization, biodegradable/biocompatible polymer-coated magnetic nanospheres for biomedical applications. Magnetic spheres were prepared by a modified single oil-in-water emulsion-solvent evaporation method utilizing highly-concentrated hydrophobic magnetite and poly(d,l lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). Hydrophobic magnetite prepared using oleic acid exhibited high magnetite concentrations (84 wt.

Identification and treatment of cervical and oromandibular dystonia in acutely brain-injured patients.

Introduction: Primary cervical and oromandibular dystonia (CD and OMD, respectively) are well-recognized movement disorders, often treated with botulinum toxin (BTx). In contrast, dystonia related to acute brain injuries is not well delineated. Our objective was to define in neurocritically ill patients the clinical characteristics of CD and OMD and to investigate the safety of BTx.

Role of apoptosis in failure of beta-cell mass compensation for insulin resistance and beta-cell defects in the male Zucker diabetic fatty rat.

To define the mechanisms involved in the evolution of diabetes in the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat, beta-cell mass and replication rates were determined by immunochemistry, point-counting morphometry, and 6-h 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. The beta-cell mass in 5- to 7-week-old prediabetic ZDF rats (4.3 +/- 0.

Treatment with the oral antidiabetic agent troglitazone improves beta cell responses to glucose in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is associated with defects in both insulin secretion and action and carries a high risk for conversion to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Troglitazone, an insulin sensitizing agent, reduces glucose concentrations in subjects with NIDDM and IGT but is not known to affect insulin secretion. We sought to determine the role of beta cell function in mediating improved glucose tolerance.

Thyroid dysfunction is not associated with alterations in serum leptin levels.

To determine if serum leptin levels are affected by thyroid dysfunction, we measured its concentration in serum samples from 25 euthyroid controls and 25 subjects each with hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis collected over a 3-month period. Mean leptin levels in the euthyroid (24.1 +/- 8.