Pneumatic Displacement of Hemorrhagic Bacillary Layer Detachment.

PURPOSE: To describe the management of a hemorrhagic bacillary layer detachment in a patient with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). METHODS: The clinical records and imaging were reviewed. RESULTS: A 74-year-old female presented with acute onset hemorrhagic nAMD with a large hemorrhagic bacillary layer detachment (BALAD). The intra-BALAD hemorrhage was amenable to displacement with SF6 pneumatic displacement with subsequent visual acuity recovery. CONCLUSION: Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) pneumatic displacement in combination with aflibercept injection is a viable means by which to manage a hemorrhagic bacillary layer detachment in the context of nAMD. Displacement of large intra-BALAD hemorrhages can result in good visual recovery.

Reciprocal interactions between sodium appetite and need-free sugar intake.

Behavioral sensitization occurs during sodium appetite (expressed as sodium intake to compensate for depleted sodium) and need-free sodium intake (expressed as daily overnight sodium intake in excess of dietary sodium need). Previously, we found that a slow-onset sodium appetite protocol cross-sensitized need-free sucrose intake in sucrose-naïve adult rats. That is, a history of sodium depletion elevated later sucrose intake. The objective of the present work was, first, to investigate whether a protocol that evokes a rapid-onset (within 2 h) sodium appetite using furosemide along with a low dose captopril (Furo/Cap), also cross-sensitizes sucrose intake. Then, we investigated whether 1) sensitization of need-free 0.3 M NaCl intake interacts with need-free sucrose intake, and 2) MK-801, a glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist, inhibits cross-sensitization of sucrose intake. Groups received 3-4 Furo/Cap or vehicle treatments with 48/72-h intervals. We investigated sucrose intake in hydrated and fed conditions for 2 h/day for 5 days, starting 6-10 days after the last Furo/Cap treatment. Episodes of Furo/Cap sensitized need-free sodium intake, as expected. Similar to our prior work, the rapid-onset Furo/Cap protocol cross-sensitized sucrose intake in sucrose-naïve rats and had no persistent effect on blood biochemistry. MK-801 treatment along with Furo/Cap injections appeared to prevent cross-sensitization of sucrose consumption. Sucrose intake tests unexpectedly reduced sensitized need-free sodium intake. However, MK-801 treatment allowed a rebound in need-free sodium intake subsequent to the last sucrose intake test. The results suggest that plasticity in glutamatergic mechanisms mediate inverse and reciprocal interactions between the production of sodium appetite and sucrose intake.

DNA extraction of urinary bladder swabs collected from carbonized and decomposing corpses: Possible application in disaster victim identification.

A disaster is an unexpected event causing death or injury to many people. In such events, a large number of casualties may take place, exposing corpses to a harsh environment for days or months. DNA profiling is recognized as one of the primary methods for identifying mass disaster victims, especially when it involves decomposed or fragmented bodies. The objective of this study was to standardize the use of urinary bladder swabs as a source of DNA for the identification of decomposing and carbonized human bodies by Forensic Genetic techniques. Samples' DNA was extracted using both organic and Chelex® resin methods; quantified by qPCR and amplified with PowerPlex® Fusion System (Promega Corporation). The results of this study show that between the two methodologies used for DNA extraction, the organic method presented higher DNA yields in relation to the minimum acceptable for the amplification, while Chelex®, although not having a high yield, still allowed obtaining significant amounts of DNA for amplification. The use of bladder swabs has proven to be a viable source of DNA for human identification, since besides reproducible and reliable results, this type of sample allows a significant reduction in the time and cost required for analysis.

Angiotensinergic and cholinergic receptors of the subfornical organ mediate sodium intake induced by GABAergic activation of the lateral parabrachial nucleus.

Bilateral injections of the GABA(A) agonist muscimol into the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) induce 0.3 M NaCl and water intake in satiated and normovolemic rats, a response reduced by intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of losartan or atropine (angiotensinergic type 1 (AT1) and cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonists, respectively). In the present study, we investigated the effects of the injections of losartan or atropine into the subfornical organ (SFO) on 0.3M NaCl and water intake induced by injections of muscimol into the LPBN. In addition, using intracellular calcium measurement, we also tested the sensitivity of SFO-cultured cells to angiotensin II (ANG II) and carbachol (cholinergic agonist). In male Holtzman rats with cannulas implanted bilaterally into the LPBN and into the SFO, injections of losartan (1 µg/0.1 µl) or atropine (2 nmol/0.1 µl) into the SFO almost abolished 0.3M NaCl and water intake induced by muscimol (0.5 nmol/0.2 µl) injected into the LPBN. In about 30% of the cultured cells of the SFO, carbachol and ANG II increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²âº](i)). Three distinct cell populations were found in the SFO, i.e., cells activated by either ANG II (25%) or carbachol (2.6%) or by both stimuli (2.3%). The results suggest that the activation of angiotensinergic and cholinergic mechanisms in the SFO is important for NaCl and water intake induced by the deactivation of LPBN inhibitory mechanisms with muscimol injections. They also show that there are cells in the SFO activated by both angiotensinergic and cholinergic stimuli, perhaps those involved in the responses to muscimol into the LPBN.

Importance of central AT1 receptors for sodium intake induced by GABAergic activation of the lateral parabrachial nucleus.

The blockade of the inhibitory mechanisms for sodium intake with GABAergic activation in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) induces strong ingestion of water and hypertonic NaCl in satiated and normovolemic rats. A question that remains is if the activity of facilitatory mechanisms, like angiotensin II, is necessary for sodium and water intake induced by muscimol (GABA(A) receptor agonist) injected into the LPBN. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of the blockade of angiotensinergic AT(1) receptors with losartan injected i.c.v. on 0.3 M NaCl and water intake induced by muscimol injected into the LPBN in satiated and normovolemic rats. Male Holtzman rats with stainless steel cannulas implanted bilaterally into the LPBN and unilaterally into the lateral ventricle were used. Bilateral injections of muscimol (0.5 nmol/0.2 µl) into the LPBN combined with i.c.v. injection of vehicle induced 0.3 M NaCl (31.7 ± 1.8 ml/240 min, vs. saline: 0.4 ± 0.3 ml/240 min) and water intake (21.5 ± 1.9 ml/240 min, vs. saline: 0.8 ± 0.2 ml/240 min). Losartan (50 and 100 µg/1.0 µl) injected i.c.v. reduced the effects of LPBN-muscimol on 0.3 M NaCl (18.9 ± 1.9 and 9.9 ± 1.7 ml/240 min, respectively) and water intake (9.8 ± 1.7 and 5.1 ± 1.1 ml/240 min, respectively). The results suggest that the activation of central AT(1) angiotensinergic receptors is essential for hypertonic NaCl and water intake induced by the blockade of the inhibitory mechanisms with muscimol injected into the LPBN in satiated and normovolemic rats.

Inhibition of sodium appetite by lipopolysaccharide: involvement of alpha2-adrenoceptors.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin from the wall of Escherichia coli, produces a general behavioral inhibition and affects several aspects of fluid-electrolyte balance. LPS inhibits thirst; however, it is not clear if it also inhibits sodium appetite. The present results show that LPS (0.3-2.5 mg/kg body wt) injected intraperitoneally produces a dose-dependent reduction of sodium appetite expressed as 0.3 M NaCl intake induced by sodium depletion (furosemide plus removal of ambient sodium for 24 h). The high doses of LPS (1.2-2.5 mg/kg) also produced transient hypothermia at the beginning of the sodium appetite test; however, no dose produced hyperthermia. LPS also increased the stomach liquid content (an index of gastric emptying) after a load of 0.3 M NaCl given intragastrically by gavage to sodium-depleted rats. The α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (5 mg/kg ip) abolished the effect of LPS on 0.3 M NaCl intake, without changing the effect of LPS on gastric emptying. Injection of RX-821002 (160 nmol), another α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, in the lateral cerebral ventricle (LV) also reversed the inhibition of sodium appetite produced by LPS. Yohimbine intraperitoneally or RX-821002 in the LV alone had no effect on sodium intake. Although yohimbine plus LPS produced a slight hypotension, RX-821002 plus LPS produced no change in arterial pressure, suggesting that the blockade of the effects of LPS on sodium intake by the α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonists is independent from changes in arterial pressure. The results suggest an inhibitory role for LPS in sodium appetite that is mediated by central α(2)-adrenoceptors.

Competing S(N)2 and E2 reaction pathways for hexachlorocyclohexane degradation in the gas phase, solution and enzymes.

Quantum chemistry calculations have been used alongside experimental kinetic analysis to investigate the competition between S(N)2 and E2 mechanisms for the dechlorination of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, revealing that enzyme specificity reflects the intrinsic reactivity of the various isomers.

Microsurgical hepatic artery reconstruction in paediatric liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic artery thrombosis is a serious complication of paediatric liver transplantation often leading to retransplantation. It is also associated with decreased patient survival rates. In 1999 microsurgical hepatic artery reconstruction by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons was introduced to the Queensland Liver Transplant Service at the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, in an attempt to decrease hepatic artery complications. METHODOLOGY: A review of the computerised database of the Queensland Liver Transplant Service was undertaken. Between March 1985 and December 2005, 252 transplants were performed without microsurgery. Since December 1999, 23 transplants were performed with microsurgical hepatic artery reconstruction by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons using the operating microscope. RESULTS: There were a total of 28 cases of hepatic artery thrombosis in 275 transplants. Survival for patients with hepatic artery thrombosis was significantly worse than for patients without (one year survival rate 61.5% versus 83.6%, p = 0.0065). The microsurgery group had a lower incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (4.3% versus 10.7%, p = 0.29), a lower retransplantation rate (4.3% versus 9.1%, p = 0.38) and increased one year patient survival (91.3% versus 79.7%, p = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical hepatic artery reconstruction in paediatric liver transplantation may decrease hepatic artery thrombosis rates, decrease retransplantation rates and improve survival.

The role of exchange in systematic DFT errors for some organic reactions.

Serious (up to 87 kJ mol(-1)) systematic DFT errors in a series of isodesmic reactions are found to be due to the DFT exchange component, and can be largely corrected by substitution of the DFT exchange energy with the Fock exchange energy.

Should contemporary density functional theory methods be used to study the thermodynamics of radical reactions?

The performance of a variety of DFT functionals (BLYP, PBE, B3LYP, B3P86, KMLYP, B1B95, MPWPW91, MPW1B95, BB1K, MPW1K, MPWB1K, and BMK), together with the ab initio methods RHF, RMP2, and G3(MP2)-RAD, and with ONIOM methods based on combinations of these procedures, is examined for calculating the enthalpies of a range of radical reactions. The systems studied include the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of R-X (R = CH3, CH2F, CH2OH, CH2CN, CH2Ph, CH(CH3)Ph, C(CH3)2Ph; X = H, CH3, OCH3, OH, F), RCH(Ph)-X (R = CH3, CH3CH2, CH(CH3)2, C(CH3)3, CH2F, CH2OH, CH2CN; X = H, F), R-TEMPO (R = CH3, CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2, C(CH3)3, CH2CH2CH3, CH2F, CH2OH, CH2CN, CH(CN)CH3, CH(Cl)CH3; TEMPO = 2,2,6,6,-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yloxyl) and HM1M2-X (M1, M2 = CH2CH(CH3), CH2CH(COOCH3), CH2C(CH3)(COOCH3); X = Cl, Br), the beta-scission energies of RXCH2* and RCH2CHPh* (R = CH3, CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2, C(CH3)3; X = O, S, CH2), and the enthalpies of several radical addition, ring-opening, and hydrogen- and chlorine-transfer reactions. All of the DFT methods examined failed to provide an accurate description of the energetics of the radical reactions when compared with benchmark G3(MP2)-RAD values, with all methods tested showing unpredictable deviations of up to 40 kJ mol-1 or more in some cases. RMP2 also shows large deviations from G3(MP2)-RAD in the absolute values of the enthalpies of some types of reaction and, although it fares somewhat better than the DFT methods in modeling the relative values, it fails for substituents capable of strongly interacting with the unpaired electron. However, it is possible to obtain cost-effective accurate calculations for radical reactions using ONIOM-based procedures in which a high-level method, such as G3(MP2)-RAD, is only used to model the core reaction (which should contain all substituents alpha to the reaction center), and the full system is modeled using a lower-cost procedure such as RMP2.

Water deprivation and the double- depletion hypothesis: common neural mechanisms underlie thirst and salt appetite

Water deprivation-induced thirst is explained by the double-depletion hypothesis, which predicts that dehydration of the two major body fluid compartments, the extracellular and intracellular compartments, activates signals that combine centrally to induce water intake. However, sodium appetite is also elicited by water deprivation. In this brief review, we stress the importance of the water-depletion and partial extracellular fluid-repletion protocol which permits the distinction between sodium appetite and thirst. Consistent enhancement or a de novo production of sodium intake induced by deactivation of inhibitory nuclei (e.g., lateral parabrachial nucleus) or hormones (oxytocin, atrial natriuretic peptide), in water-deprived, extracellular-dehydrated or, contrary to tradition, intracellular-dehydrated rats, suggests that sodium appetite and thirst share more mechanisms than previously thought. Water deprivation has physiological and health effects in humans that might be related to the salt craving shown by our species.

Water deprivation and the double- depletion hypothesis: common neural mechanisms underlie thirst and salt appetite.

Water deprivation-induced thirst is explained by the double-depletion hypothesis, which predicts that dehydration of the two major body fluid compartments, the extracellular and intracellular compartments, activates signals that combine centrally to induce water intake. However, sodium appetite is also elicited by water deprivation. In this brief review, we stress the importance of the water-depletion and partial extracellular fluid-repletion protocol which permits the distinction between sodium appetite and thirst. Consistent enhancement or a de novo production of sodium intake induced by deactivation of inhibitory nuclei (e.g., lateral parabrachial nucleus) or hormones (oxytocin, atrial natriuretic peptide), in water-deprived, extracellular-dehydrated or, contrary to tradition, intracellular-dehydrated rats, suggests that sodium appetite and thirst share more mechanisms than previously thought. Water deprivation has physiological and health effects in humans that might be related to the salt craving shown by our species.

Ontogeny of erythropoietin receptor mRNA expression in various tissues of the foetal and the neonatal pig.

Erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) mRNA expression in liver, spleen, bone marrow and testes of foetal and neonatal pigs was analysed using a real-time RT-PCR assay. The results showed that early in the foetal life, EPOR expression is greatest in the liver. Later in foetal life, the spleen has the greatest expression of EPOR, whereas at 2 weeks after birth, the main expression of EPOR is found in the bone marrow. These findings contradict our earlier hypothesis that erythropoietin (EPO) acting in a paracrine fashion can account for an extensive erythropoiesis at birth, a point of time when plasma EPO concentrations are low. Results presented in the present paper suggest that the spleen or, alternatively, the bone marrow is able to respond to very low concentrations of circulating EPO around the time of birth. The testes were found to express significant amounts of EPOR. Since EPO mRNA has previously been found in the testes, a paracrine function of EPO may exist in this organ.

Cyclodextrin and modified cyclodextrin complexes of E-4-tert-butylphenyl-4'-oxyazobenzene: UV-visible, 1H NMR and ab initio studies.

alpha-Cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, N-(6(A)-deoxy-alpha-cyclodextrin-6(A)-yl)-N'6(A)-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin-6(A)-yl)urea and N,N-bis(6(A)-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin-6(A)-yl)urea (alphaCD, betaCD, 1 and 2) form inclusion complexes with E-4-tert-butylphenyl-4'-oxyazobenzene, E-3(-). In aqueous solution at pH 10.0, 298.2 K and I = 0.10 mol dm(-3)(NaClO(4)) spectrophotometric UV-visible studies yield the sequential formation constants: K(11) = (2.83 +/- 0.28) x 10(5) dm(3) mol(-1) for alphaCD.E-(-), K(21) = (6.93 +/- 0.06) x 10(3) dm(3) mol(-1) for (alphaCD)(2).E-3(-), K(11) = (1.24 +/- 0.12) x 10(5) dm(3) mol(-1) for betaCD.E-(-), K(21) = (1.22 +/- 0.06) x 10(4) dm(3) mol(-1) for (betaCD)(2).E-(-), K(11) = (3.08 +/- 0.03) x 10(5) dm(3) mol(-1) for .E-3(-), K(11) = (8.05 +/- 0.63) x 10(4) dm(3) mol(-1) for .E-3(-) and K(12) = (2.42 +/- 0.53) x 10(4) dm(3) mol(-1) for .(E-3(-))(2). (1)H ROESY NMR studies show that complexation of E-3(-) in the annuli of alphaCD, betaCD, 1 and 2 occurs. A variable-temperature (1)H NMR study yields k(298 K)= 6.7 +/- 0.5 and 5.7 +/- 0.5 s(-1), DeltaH = 61.7 +/- 2.7 and 88.1 +/- 4.2 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS = -22.2 +/- 8.7 and 65 +/- 13 J K(-1) mol(-1) for the interconversion of the dominant includomers (complexes with different orientations of alphaCD) of alphaCD.E-3(-) and (alphaCD)(2).E-3(-), respectively. The existence of E-3(-) as the sole isomer was investigated through an ab initio study.

Responses of plasma Epo and kidney and liver Epo mRNA to hemorrhage in perinatal pigs.

Despite the fact that pig fetuses in late gestation have extensive erythropoiesis, low blood pO(2) and low hemoglobin concentrations, piglets are born without detectable concentrations of plasma erythropoietin (Epo). In the present study, we have examined the hypothesis that long-term hypoxic stimuli are less efficient than short-term stimuli in stimulating Epo production in perinatal pigs. From fetuses collected by hysterectomy 5 days before term, new-born piglets and piglets 2 and 5 weeks old, blood in amounts corresponding to 2% of body weight was withdrawn from the jugular vein. Twenty-four hours later the animals were killed and their kidney and liver Epo mRNA analysed by a competitive RT-PCR assay. Plasma Epo concentration was estimated by a solid-phase, two-site sequential chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay. We found that in nearly fully developed fetuses and in new-born piglets, the concentration of Epo mRNA did not increase upon bleeding. This is in contrast to earlier findings in sheep. In 2- and 5-week-old piglets, bleeding was associated with a 12-15-fold increase in kidney Epo mRNA. In the 2- and 5-week-old piglets, bleeding evoked increased translation of Epo mRNA into the protein hormone. Also in new-born piglets, increased plasma levels of Epo accompanied bleeding, whereas significant changes in gene Epo expression were not observed.

Episodes of water deprivation enhance daily hypertonic NaCl intake in rats.

Water and 1.8% NaCl intake was recorded daily in adult male rats (N = 6) submitted to four water deprivations plus four sodium appetite tests, each at the end of each 7-day interval, or in controls (non-deprived, N = 6). Water deprivation was achieved by removing water and 1.8% NaCl for 24 h. Water was then offered for 2 h. At the end of this period, 1.8% NaCl was also offered in addition to water (sodium appetite test). Average daily 1.8% NaCl intake was enhanced from 5.2 +/- 1.0 to 15.7 +/- 2.5 ml from the first to the fifth week in the experimental group and was unchanged in the control group. Daily water intake was not altered in either group. Thus, repeated episodes of water deprivation enhance daily NaCl intake.

Ontogeny of erythropoietin mRNA expression in liver, kidneys and testes of the foetal and the neonatal pig.

Erythropoietin (EPO) mRNA expression in kidneys, liver and testes of foetal and neonatal pigs was analysed using a competitive RT-PCR assay. The results indicate that in the foetal pig, erythropoietin expression is greatest in the liver, at birth; hepatic and renal expression are nearly identical, and by 5 weeks of age there is mainly renal expression. The dynamics of the renal expression of EPO mRNA in the perinatal period provide a correlate for observations made earlier of plasma EPO concentrations. Early in foetal life (30 days after artificial insemination), the mesonephroi contained large amounts of EPO mRNA. As in the rat, the testes produced EPO mRNA in amounts comparable to the liver on a per gram tissue basis, though much less on a per organ basis.

Future projections for Mexican faunas under global climate change scenarios.

Global climates are changing rapidly, with unexpected consequences. Because elements of biodiversity respond intimately to climate as an important driving force of distributional limitation, distributional shifts and biodiversity losses are expected. Nevertheless, in spite of modelling efforts focused on single species or entire ecosystems, a few preliminary surveys of fauna-wide effects, and evidence of climate change-mediated shifts in several species, the likely effects of climate change on species' distributions remain little known, and fauna-wide or community-level effects are almost completely unexplored. Here, using a genetic algorithm and museum specimen occurrence data, we develop ecological niche models for 1,870 species occurring in Mexico and project them onto two climate surfaces modelled for 2055. Although extinctions and drastic range reductions are predicted to be relatively few, species turnover in some local communities is predicted to be high (>40% of species), suggesting that severe ecological perturbations may result.

Episodes of water deprivation enhance daily hypertonic NaCl intake in rats

Water and 1.8 percent NaCl intake was recorded daily in adult male rats (N = 6) submitted to four water deprivations plus four sodium appetite tests, each at the end of each 7-day interval, or in controls (non-deprived, N = 6). Water deprivation was achieved by removing water and 1.8 percent NaCl for 24 h. Water was then offered for 2 h. At the end of this period, 1.8 percent NaCl was also offered in addition to water (sodium appetite test). Average daily 1.8 percent NaCl intake was enhanced from 5.2 + or - 1.0 to 15.7 + or - 2.5 ml from the first to the fifth week in the experimental group and was unchanged in the control group. Daily water intake was not altered in either group. Thus, repeated episodes of water deprivation enhance daily NaCl intake

The porcine erythropoietin gene: cDNA sequence, genomic sequence and expression analyses in piglets.

The porcine erythropoietin (EPO) gene and its cDNA have been cloned and characterized. The cDNA encodes a protein of 194 amino acids. The gene structure and sequence show a high degree of homology to the corresponding human and murine gene. Steroid hormone receptor binding sites are present both in the promoter and in the 3' flanking region of the gene, which also contains an oxygen-sensing sequence. The promoter lacks classical promoter elements such as TATA and CAAT boxes. Expression analyses using a competitive RT-PCR assay showed that the kidneys contain about ten times more erythropoietin mRNA than the liver in five-week-old piglets, thus indicating that the shift from mainly hepatic to mainly renal EPO production has taken place at this age. The testes showed a higher ratio of EPO mRNA to total RNA than the liver. Spleen showed very low levels of expression, while no expression of erythropoietin mRNA was detected in brain tissue, bone marrow, lung, lymph nodes, and ovaries.