Frequencies of functional caspase 12 genotypes in the North Africa population.

Caspase 12(Csp-12) is a cysteine protease that plays a role in regulation of cytokine maturation. It is present either in a functional full-length variant (Csp-12L) that predisposes to a lower immune response or in an inactive, common version (Csp-12S) that contains a stop codon that results in a truncated form. Genomic DNA from unrelated North Africans, residents of 4th Nile Cataract Region in Sudan, was analyzed. One hundred umbilical blood samples of Polish newborns served as a reference group from the Caucasian population. The analysis of stop-codon polymorphism performed on the 212 human samples from Northern Sudan identified 6.6% individuals with heterozygous genotypes while not one homozygous Csp-12L was found. All examined Polish individuals were homozygous Csp-12S.

Superelastic NiTi springs for corrective skull operations in children with craniosynostosis.

This paper concerns the formation and characterization of superelastic springs and rings of NiTi alloys for long-term skull correction. Superelastic properties of the rings were induced in the process of ageing of the already formed rings which cause hardening of parent phase by the precipitation of coherent Ni(4)Ti(3) particles. The efficacy of the worked out springs and rings were successfully proved in several clinical applications.

Reconstruction of the auricle.

Between 1976 and 2002, 272 ear reconstructions were performed in our unit using the methods of Tanzer (n=38), Brent (n=156) and Nagata (n=78). We present this experience and our modifications of these methods, and describe our current practice.

A longitudinal examination of the transition into senior high school for adolescents from urban, low-income status, and predominantly minority backgrounds.

The current 6-year study investigates the impact of the elementary (K-8)-to-high school (9-12) transition on the school completion outcomes of 107 adolescents from urban, minority, low-income status backgrounds. Descriptive findings provide a longitudinal profile of students' enrollment status throughout high school. Students who had graduated or were Active in the school system at the end of the study evidenced more marked change in perceptions of social support following the transition to the ninth grade compared to Inactive students, dropouts, who evidenced little change. With respect to academic performance, while both groups evidenced declines following the transition and failed to recover sustained losses, Inactive students declined more sharply in grades and attendance. Findings are discussed in terms of the mixed support for the transitional life events perspective. In addition, study limitations and directions for future research are discussed, including variables that should be considered in research with the targeted group.

The physiology of life-history trade-offs: experimental analysis of a hormonally induced life-history trade-off in Gryllus assimilis.

Adult Gryllus assimilis given an analog of juvenile hormone exhibited reduced flight muscles and enlarged ovaries similar to those found in naturally occurring flightless individuals of species that are polymorphic for dispersal capability. Control and hormone-treated (flightless) G. assimilis did not differ in the amount of food consumed or assimilated on any of three diets that differed in nutrient quantity. Thus, enhanced ovarian growth of flightless individuals resulted from increased allocation of internal nutrients to reproduction (i.e., a trade-off) rather than from increased acquisition of nutrients. Compared with flight-capable controls, flightless G. assimilis also had reduced whole-organism respiration, reduced respiration of flight muscles, and reduced lipid and triglyceride (flight fuel) reserves. These differences are remarkably similar to those between naturally occurring flightless and flight-capable morphs of other Gryllus species. Results collectively suggest that the increased allocation of nutrients to ovarian growth in flightless G. assimilis and other Gryllus species results from reduced energetic costs of flight muscle maintenance and/or the biosynthesis or acquisition of lipids. Reduction in these energetic costs appears to be an important driving force in the evolution of flightlessness in insects. Respiratory metabolism associated with flight capability utilizes an increasing proportion of the energy budget of crickets as the quantity of nutrients in the diet is decreased. This leads to a magnification of greater ovarian growth of flightless versus flight-capable individuals on nutrient-poor diets.

A longitudinal study of school adjustment in urban, minority adolescents: effects of a high school transition program.

Described an intervention program designed to prepare elementary school (K-8) eighth-grade students for their transition to high school the following year. Participants in the study were 145, predominantly Hispanic, inner-city public school adolescents. The experimental group received an augmented condition, consisting of Education and Peer Support Components. The control group received a minimal condition consisting of only the Education Component. While no group effects were observed, time effects indicated experimental and control students' improved perceptions of school readiness, but deteriorated perceptions of support from both home and school and diminished grade-point averages and attendance. Time effects also revealed variable changes in school perceptions. Findings are discussed in terms of a developmental perspective of the school transition process. Implications for high school transition programming with the target population and directions for future research are also addressed.

A comparison of the 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and micronucleus techniques for the assessment of X-ray and UV induced genotoxicity.

A comparison was made of the relative sensitivities of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus and the 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine assays for the assessment of X-ray and UV-induced genotoxicity in mouse splenocytes in vitro. A detectable (p < 0.05) increase in micronuclei occurred at about 1/5 the X-ray exposure required to induce a significant increase in the level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. With UV radiation a significant (p < 0.05) rise in micronuclei was achieved at about 1/10th the dose needed to produce a detectable increase in 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels. The data confirm the value of the cytokinesis-block micronucleus technique for the detection of genotoxicity at low-level X-irradiation, and indicate that it is more sensitive for that purpose than the 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine assay. The data also demonstrate, for the first time, the production of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine by UVA/B-irradiation of intact cells, but point again to a more sensitive assessment of UV-related genotoxicity by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus method.

Characterization of antibody response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with wound infections.

ELISA was used to measure the amount and avidity of IgG antibodies to exotoxin A (ExA) and 7 Fisher's immunotypes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the sera of 13 patients with mild or moderate Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Changes in the specificity of tested sera during the course of infection were demonstrated. A statistically significant increase was seen in the amount and avidity of the antibodies to ExA in a majority of the sera, and an increase was seen in amount of antibodies to LPS immunotype 4 in the sera of patients with moderate infections.

Free transplantation of tissues: problems and complications.

On the basis of my own material, I discuss the problems and complications encountered in the course of performing 75 free transplantations of tissues. The causes and management of both common and uncommon complications occurring after incorrect as well as faultless surgery are discussed, and numerous examples are described.

Surgery of postburn defects and deformities of the face.

On the basis of about 600 cases I discuss the problems related to late repair of severe facial burns. Besides the classical methods of tissue transposition, some recent approaches, such as free transfer of various flaps and the use of secondary island flaps from the retroauricular region, are presented. In my opinion, the quality of tissue for a reconstructive procedure in the facial region and the final result of the treatment should be the main concerns in treatment. Therefore, despite the general tendency to opt for the quickest treatment, the long-lasting, staged, and--if necessary--even the most sophisticated procedures are fully justified.

Early columella elongation.

The author presents a new method of early columella elongation used since 1982 in the repair of 52 bilateral clefts. The method is suitable for two-stage lip repair without a strict muscle union behind the prolabium. So far, the results seem to be promising, since the children's postoperative appearance is almost normal and the disadvantages due to the so-called sheep nose deformity can be avoided.

Extended vomer flap in the early repair of a cleft palate.

The author's original approach to the early repair of cleft palate which consists in the use of the extended vomer flap is presented. The evolution of primary procedure under the influence of the philosophy of Malek and Psaume and all additional improvements of the author are described and illustrated. The early results (up to 6 years) of 40 palatoplasties performed at the ages of 3-6 months are roughly evaluated and discussed.

Cleft lip nose surgery.

On the basis of over 3,600 cases the surgical repair of primary and secondary nose deformities in cleft patients is discussed. The value of the modified Millard method in the management of unilateral nose deformities and the author's own approach to primary columella elongation in bilateral cleft are presented. The various methods of secondary rhinoplasties in typical and rare clefts are also discussed on the basis of numerous examples.

Free flaps versus conventional surgery.

On the basis of about 60 cases, we discuss the clinical use of groin, latissimus dorsi, dorsalis pedis, scapular, parascapular, and forearm free flaps. These flaps are evaluated in relation to some alternate reconstructive procedures in various regions of the body, with photographic documentation.

Retroauricular secondary island flap.

A new method consisting of conversion of the retroauricular skin into an axial flap is described. During the first stage the superficial temporal vessels are transposed under the skin of the retroauricular region. The second operative step consists of elevation of the retroauricular-mastoid skin on the dissected axial pedicle. The secondary island flaps proved to be efficient in the repair of small and medium-sized defects of the facial region.

Extended vomer flaps in cleft palate repair: a preliminary report.

It is the author's belief that poor healing due to deficient mesenchyme at the junction of the hard and soft palates probably constitutes the essential reason for some failures of palatoplasty. In order to provide extra tissue to reinforce the above-mentioned region and to facilitate efficient velar lengthening, the use of an extension of the vomer flap detached from the roof of the pharynx is proposed. Such extended vomer flaps have been applied successfully both on the oral and nasal sides in 50 patients. The necessity of further and longer observations is obvious.