Exacerbation of apoptosis of cortical neurons following traumatic brain injury in par-4 transgenic mice.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant clinical problem, yet few effective strategies for treating it have emerged. People that sustain and survive a TBI are left with significant cognitive, behavioral, and communicative disabilities. Apoptotic neuronal death occurs following TBI.

A novel subtelomeric translocation t(5;9) and a deletion of the RB1 gene in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0).

No chromosomal rearrangements have been identified as specifically associated with minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0). Several research groups studied the cytogenetic features of AML-M0 and found that as much as 81% of patients with AML-M0 had chromosomal rearrangements; primarily -5/5q- and/or -7/7q- deletions or translocations involving 12p. A patient, who was diagnosed with AML-M0 eighteen months ago, was referred for cytogenetic evaluation for possible AML relapse.

Pancreatic metastasis of tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.

Context: The incidence of tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma that has metastasized to the pancreas is extremely rare. There has been only one previously reported case of pancreatic metastasis of the tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Case Report: We present the case of a patient who presented with tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma with metastasis to the pancreas detected and confirmed cytologically by EUS-FNA after finding of the CT scan were equivocal.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in children undergoing induction therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We present three cases of children with acute neurologic changes while undergoing induction chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These cases fall into the spectrum of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS), including abrupt alterations in mental status, headache, seizures, visual changes, hypertension, and characteristic findings on magnetic resonance imaging. Although the underlying mechanism of RPLS is still under investigation, the appropriate treatment and management of the acute event is becoming clearer.

GABAergic mechanisms of gastroprotection in the rat: role of sensory neurons, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter found in both the central and the peripheral nervous systems including the gastrointestinal tract. The aims of the present studies were to examine mechanisms by which GABA exerts gastroprotective effects against ethanol- and water-restraint stress (WRS)-induced gastric mucosal injury in the rat. GABA, administered intragastrically (400 mg/kg), induced gastroprotection against ethanol and WRS by activating gastric sensory neurons to release calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and promote nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and release.

Identification of a membrane-localized cysteine cluster near the substrate-binding sites of the Streptococcus equisimilis hyaluronan synthase.

The membrane-bound hyaluronan synthase (HAS) from Streptococcus equisimilis (seHAS), which is the smallest Class I HAS, has four cysteine residues (positions 226, 262, 281, and 367) that are generally conserved within this family. Although Cys-null seHAS is still active, chemical modification of cysteine residues causes inhibition of wild-type enzyme. Here we studied the effects of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) treatment on a panel of seHAS Cys-mutants to examine the structural and functional roles of the four cysteine residues in the activity of the enzyme.

Mass casualties in the Oklahoma City bombing.

The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was partially destroyed by a terrorist bomb on April 19, 1995. Injuries were sustained by 759 people, 168 of whom died.

Ozone exposure: a case report and discussion.

A 45-year-old man working with ozone presents with evidence of sinusitis, mucus membrane irritation, sleep disturbance and shortness of breath. Naturally occurring or manmade, ozone may damage pulmonary alveolar type I cells at significant exposure levels. EPA and OSHA regulate exposure concentrations.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in children: implications for assessment, prevention, and referral in primary care.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been described in children exposed to a variety of traumatic experiences. It is relatively common and is often accompanied by comorbid conditions. A number of factors influence the development of symptoms including those related to the traumatic event, the individual child, the family, and the sociocultural environment.

Perceived effects and recovery in Oklahoma City firefighters.

This survey of 325 Oklahoma City Firefighters examined their perceptions of the effect of the bombing, their recovery and their sources of support. Other variables that were considered in this analysis included age, usefulness of the Critical Incidence Stress Management (CISM) procedures, and attitude, an aggregate variable that accounted for job satisfaction. Of particular importance in this analysis was the finding that support from "faith" was a primary predictor of positive outcome and positive attitude over the one-year period.

The role of the medical examiner in mass casualty situations with special reference to the Alfred P. Murrah Building bombing.

Objective: To describe the events that shaped the investigation by the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner with regard to the terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995 and to provide lessons learned for reinforcement and future planning.

Study Population: All persons known to have been killed by the blast.

A practical approach to managing community dwellers with Alzheimer's disease.

This article will review multiple strategies and treatment options that can be utilized by clinicians to address the ever-changing and varied needs of community dwelling elders with Alzheimer's disease and those of their families. Comprehensive assessment and the judicious use of medications, together with other nonpharmacological interventions, may lessen the burden of care on families and decrease the likelihood of institutionalization.

Skin necrosis complicating functional bracing.

We report a complication associated with functional bracing of a metacarpal shaft fracture that required operative intervention. A 30-year-old man with a closed, dorsally angulated, metacarpal shaft fracture of the right ring finger was treated with a functional brace. During brace immobilization, the patient developed full-thickness skin necrosis on the dorsum of the right hand.

Some autoantibodies to Ro/SS-A and La/SS-B are antiidiotypes to anti-double-stranded DNA.

Objective: To determine the relationship of anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B antibodies to anti-double- stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods: Sera with anti-Ro/SS-A alone (n = 5) or those with anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B (n = 7) were absorbed with purified Ro/SS-A and La/SS-B, respectively. The absorbed sera were then tested for reactivity with MOLT-4 extract by Western blot and dsDNA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The mutagenic potential of antiestrogens at the HPRT locus in V79 cells.

Tamoxifen, a nonsteroidal antiestrogen is widely used in the treatment of breast cancer. Although clearly of clinical value, it produces adverse side effects associated with its estrogen agonist activity. This has led to the development of antiestrogens with less estrogen agonist activity.

Enzyme histochemical studies of membrane proteases in rat subfornical organ.

Localization of membrane proteases glutamyl aminopeptidase (EAP), microsomal alanyl aminopeptidase (mAAP), dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) were studied in vessels of the rat subfornical organ (SFO), ependyma which cover the surface of the SFO, and adjacent brain structures. Results of enzyme histochemical reactions showed strong activity for EAP, mAAP, and gamma-GTP, but absence of DPP IV in microvessels of SFO. The ependyma which cover the SFO was positive for gamma-GTP, but negative for other studied proteases.

Designing, benchmarking, and applying a Monte Carlo electron transport code.

The design of a Monte Carlo electron transport code is described, with particular attention being given to the modeling of multiple-scattering, ionization, and bremsstrahlung production. Comparisons of code predictions with experimental data are presented, together with simple radiation therapy applications.

Different patterns of myometrial activity and 24-h rhythms in myometrial contractility in the gravid baboon during the second half of pregnancy.

Two clearly distinct epochs of myometrial contractility were observed in 13 pregnant baboons when recorded either as intraamniotic pressure (IAP) or myometrial electromyogram (EMG). Contractures, epochs lasting longer than 3 min, were the characteristic form of myometrial activity throughout pregnancy. Contractures generated only small increases in IAP.

Effects of soman on calcium uptake in microsomes and mitochondria from rabbit aorta.

Daily administration of soman for several days results in several alterations in the vascular neuroeffector system. To determine whether or not soman alters intracellular Ca2+ uptake, the effects of acute exposure to soman or 7-day administration of 5 micrograms kg-1 of soman on the capacity of microsomes and mitochondria from rabbit aortic vascular smooth muscle to take up 45Ca2+ were determined. Acute exposure to soman concentrations of 1-100 microM did not alter significantly (P greater than 0.

Cross-generalization between an ethologically [correction of ecologically] relevant stimulus and a pentylenetetrazole-discriminative cue.

Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained in a two-choice pentylenetetrazole vs. saline drug discrimination (DD) task under an FR10 schedule of food reinforcement. Two-minute reinforced test sessions with the two training stimuli engendered exclusive injection-appropriate responding.

Behavioral factors in development of tolerance to ethanol's effects.

Dose-effect analyses were used to monitor the development of tolerance for ethanol's effects on FR30 operant performance in rats under different conditions of chronic ethanol exposure: (a) pre-session ethanol injections (PRE) vs. post-session ethanol injections (POST) in Experiment 1; and (b) an ethanol liquid diet (ED) vs. a control diet (CD) in Experiment 2.