Particle size analysis of dispersed oil and oil-mineral aggregates with an automated ultraviolet epi-fluorescence microscopy system.

This paper describes recent advances in microscopic analysis for quantitative measurement of oil droplets. Integration of a microscope with bright-field and ultraviolet epi-fluorescence illumination (excitation wavelengths 340-380 nm; emission wavelengths 400-430 nm) fitted with a computer-controlled motorized stage, a high resolution digital camera, and new image-analysis software, enables automatic acquisition of multiple images and facilitates efficient counting and sizing of oil droplets. Laboratory experiments were conducted with this system to investigate the size distribution of chemically dispersed oil droplets and oil-mineral aggregates in baffled flasks that have been developed for testing chemical dispersant effectiveness. Image acquisition and data processing methods were developed to illustrate the size distribution of chemically dispersed oil droplets, as a function of energy dissipation rate in the baffled flasks, and the time-dependent change of the morphology and size distribution of oil-mineral aggregates. As a quantitative analytical tool, epifluorescence microscopy shows promise for application in research on oil spill response technologies, such as evaluating the effectiveness of chemical dispersant and characterizing the natural interaction between oil and mineral fines and other suspended particulate matters.

Seasonal and pulsatile dynamics of thyrotropin and leptin in mares maintained under a constant energy balance.

The objective of this study was to determine if seasonal and/or pulsatile variations occur in plasma concentrations of thyrotropin (TSH) and leptin in mares while maintaining a constant energy balance. Blood samples were collected every 20 min during a 24h period in winter and again in summer from six Quarter Horse type mares. Plasma concentrations of TSH, leptin, and T(4) were determined by radioimmunoassay. No differences were observed in body weight between winter (388.1+/-12.5 kg) and summer (406.2+/-12.5 kg; P=0.11). Plasma concentrations of TSH were greater in the summer (2.80+/-0.07 ng/ml) when compared to winter (0.97+/-0.07 ng/ml; P<0.001). Pulse frequency of TSH was not different between winter (6.17+/-0.78 pulses/24h) and summer (5.33+/-0.78 pulses/24h; P=0.49). Mean TSH pulse amplitude, pulse area, and area under the curve were all greater in summer compared to winter (3.11+/-0.10 ng/ml versus 1.20+/-0.10 ng/ml, 24.86+/-0.10 ng/ml min versus 13.46+/-1.90 ng/ml min, 3936+/-72.93 ng/ml versus 1284+/-72.93 ng/ml, respectively; P<0.01). Mean concentrations of leptin were greater in summer (2.48+/-0.17 ng/ml) compared to winter (0.65+/-0.17 ng/ml; P<0.001). Pulsatile secretion patterns of leptin were not observed in any horses during experimentation. Mean concentrations of T(4) were greater in winter (20.3+/-0.4 ng/ml) compared to summer (18.2+/-0.4 ng/ml; P<0.001). These seasonal differences between winter and summer provide evidence of possible seasonal regulation of TSH and leptin.

Description of a multi-university education and collaborative care child psychiatry access program: New York State's CAP PC.

OBJECTIVE: Although, child mental health problems are widespread, few get adequate treatment, and there is a severe shortage of child psychiatrists. To address this public health need many states have adopted collaborative care programs to assist primary care to better assess and manage pediatric mental health concerns. This report adds to the small literature on collaborative care programs and describes one large program that covers most of New York state. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: CAP PC, a component program of New York State's Office of Mental Health (OMH) Project TEACH, has provided education and consultation support to primary care providers covering most of New York state since 2010. The program is uniquely a five medical school collaboration with hubs at each that share one toll free number and work together to provide education and consultation support services to PCPs. METHODS: The program developed a clinical communications record to track information about all consultations which forms the basis of much of this report. 2-week surveys following consultations, annual surveys, and pre- and post-educational program evaluations have also been used to measure the success of the program. RESULTS: CAP PC has grown over the 6years of the program and has provided 8013 phone consultations to over 1500 PCPs. The program synergistically provided 17,523 CME credits of educational programming to 1200 PCPs. PCP users of the program report very high levels of satisfaction and self reported growth in confidence. CONCLUSIONS: CAP PC demonstrates that large-scale collaborative consultation models for primary care are feasible to implement, popular with PCPs, and can be sustained. The program supports increased access to child mental health services in primary care and provides child psychiatric expertise for patients who would otherwise have none.

Nosocomial transmission of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Two patients were found to harbor intermediate-level penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in a pediatric hospital setting. For the first patient, the bacterium was isolated from a tracheal aspirate, and for the second patient, a positive blood culture was found a short time after the index case. Two molecular typing techniques (enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence polymerase chain reaction, and repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction) demonstrated homology among these isolates, which suggests person-to-person spread. We propose the need for institution-based infection control precautions that will limit the spread of penicillin-resistant pneumococci.

Evidence for endothelium-derived relaxing factor/nitric oxide in equine digital arteries.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that endothelium-derived nitric oxide modulates vasomotor reactivity in equine digital arteries. DESIGN: Digital arteries were isolated from adult horses, and their vasodilator properties were examined in an in vitro controlled environment. ANIMALS: Five adult horses (1 gelding, 4 mares) without evidence of hoof or vascular disease were studied. PROCEDURE: Arterial rings with or without endothelium were exposed to endothelium-dependent vasodilator drugs in the presence or absence of a pharmacologic inhibitor of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase. RESULTS: Vasodilator effects of 3 endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant agents were significantly greater in endothelium-intact vessels than in endothelium-denuded vessels. Moreover, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor reduced vasodilator responses to endothelium-dependent vasodilators in endothelium-intact arteries, but had no discernable effects in endothelium-denuded arteries. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate the presence of endothelium-derived relaxing factor/nitric oxide in blood vessels of horses, and identify vascular endothelium as an endogenous modulator of vasomotor tone in the digital arteries of this species.

Clinical assessment of blood glucose homeostasis in horses: comparison of a continuous glucose monitoring system with a combined intravenous glucose and insulin test protocol.

BACKGROUND: The combined glucose-insulin test (CGIT) is helpful for evaluating insulin sensitivity. A continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) reports changes in interstitial glucose concentrations as they occur in the blood. Use of the CGMS minimizes animal contact and may be useful when performing a CGIT. HYPOTHESIS: Results obtained using a CGMS are useful for the evaluation of glucose responses during the evaluation of insulin sensitivity in equids. ANIMALS: Seven mature, obese ponies. METHODS: Ponies were equipped with CGMS for determination of interstitial glucose concentrations. Glucose (150 mg/kg, i.v.) and insulin (0.1 U/kg, i.v.) were administered and blood glucose concentrations determined at (minutes after time zero) 1, 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 with a hand-held glucometer. Blood chemistry results were compared with simultaneously obtained results using CGMS. RESULTS: Concordance coefficients determined for comparison of blood glucose concentrations determined by a hand-held glucometer and those determined by CGMS after the zero time point were 0.623, 0.764, 0.834, 0.854, and 0.818 (for delays of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Interstitial glucose concentrations obtained by the CGMS compared favorably to blood glucose concentrations. CGMS may be useful for assessment of glucose dynamics in the CGIT.

Properties of skeletal muscle mitochondria isolated from subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar regions.

Two mitochondrial fractions, termed intermyofibrillar (IMF) and subsarcolemmal (SS), were isolated from skeletal muscle, and their biochemical properties were related to differences in respiration and mitochondrial protein synthesis. State III respiration was 2.3- to 2.8-fold greater in IMF than in SS mitochondria. Site 1 inhibition of respiration with rotenone reduced this difference to 1.4-fold. When sites 1 and 2 were inhibited with antimycin, the 1.4-fold differences remained. The activities of cytochrome-c oxidase (CYTOX) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) could account for some of these differences, since CYTOX was 20% greater (P < 0.05) in IMF mitochondria, and SDH was 40% greater (P < 0.05) in SS mitochondria. Cytochromes a, b, c, and c1 contents were similar in the two fractions. Cardiolipin (CL) content was higher (P < 0.05) in SS mitochondria, indicating a less dense mitochondrial fraction with respect to CL. In vitro [3H]leucine incorporation was 1.8-fold higher (P < 0.05) in IMF than in SS mitochondria. Thus compositional differences between IMF and SS fractions exist, perhaps representing mitochondria at different stages of biogenesis. The biochemical and functional differences could not solely be due to differences in mitochondrial protein synthesis but could also be due to nuclear-directed protein synthesis specific to each mitochondrial fraction.

Bone and gallium scintigraphy in children with rhabdomyosarcoma: a 10-year review.

Technetium-99m bone and Gallium-67 scintigraphy has been widely used in the management of children with solid tumors. A retrospective review of all patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) from January 1980 to December 1989 was undertaken in order to determine the sensitivity and specificity of scintigraphy in detection of metastatic disease and to determine optimum frequency of serial scans in follow up. Over the 10-year period, 40 patients were diagnosed and treated for RMS: 22 were newly diagnosed from 1980-1984 and of these 16 had a minimum 5-year disease-free period whilst 6 died of the disease, giving a cure rate of 73%. A total of 271 bone and 236 Gallium-67 scans were performed. With respect to detection of metastatic disease in all tissues, Gallium-67 scans had a sensitivity of 84%, specificity 95% and bone scans had a sensitivity of 70% and specificity 95%. Bone scan sensitivity and specificity for skeletal metastases were 100% and 95%, respectively. Considering only patients with Gallium avid primary tumors, the Gallium-67 scan sensitivity was 94%. Ten patients developed new metastatic disease or primary recurrence after starting therapy, 8/10 within 12 months of diagnosis. Frequent surveillance scanning in the treatment phase, 2 years post-diagnosis, is of value in the early detection of metastases and monitoring disease response to therapy. Surveillance scanning after completion of treatment is more difficult to justify.