Flow cytometry for assessing the efficacy of interspecific gynogenesis induction in sturgeon.

The efficacy of ploidy analysis for separating progeny of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii after induced gynogenesis was demonstrated using sperm of a paternal species differing in ploidy level from the maternal species. Gynogenesis was induced in tetraploid A. baerii with UV-C irradiated sperm from the diploid sterlet Acipenser ruthenus and vice-versa. The success of sperm UV irradiation and diploidy restoration by heat-shock was estimated based on the ploidy level of progeny, confirmed by microsatellite parentage assignment. Hatching rates of interspecific gynogenotes were comparable with rates reported for gynogenesis induction using sperm and eggs of the same species. Juvenile mortality was similar to that observed in the control hybrids. The efficiency and reliability of this method may foster its use for production of gynogenotes in aquaculture, potentially allowing interspecific gynogenesis to replace intraspecific.

Efficacy and toxicity of praziquantel in helminth-infected barbel (Barbus barbus L.).

This study evaluated efficacy and toxicity of the pyrazinoisoquinoline anthelmintic praziquantel (PZQ) in barbel infected with metacercariae of Diplostomum spathaceum and adult Pomphorhynchus laevis, and assessed antioxidant biomarkers and the lipid peroxidation response in juvenile barbel post-treatment. The estimated 96-hr LC50 of PZQ was 28.6 mg/L. For evaluation of efficacy, barbel naturally infected with D. spathaceum were exposed to a 10 and 20 mg/L PZQ 4-day bath treatment. Both concentrations were 100% effective against D. spathaceum and significantly (p < .01) affected the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase as well as levels of reduced glutathione in liver and muscle. The efficacy of orally administered PZQ was assessed in adult barbel naturally infected with P. laevis. Fish were administered 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg of body weight and examined via gut dissection after 6 days. The 50 mg/kg dose significantly decreased the intensity of infection. Praziquantel is a feasible bath treatment for barbel infected with D. spathaceum and has potential for oral treatment of broodfish infected with P. laevis.

Environmental benefits and concerns on safety: communicating latest results on nanotechnology safety research-the project DaNa2.0.

The use of nanotechnology and advanced materials promises to revolutionise many areas of technology and improve our daily life. In that respect, many positive effects on the environment are expected, either directly, by developing new technologies for remediation, filtering techniques or energy generation, or indirectly, by e.g. saving resources due to lower consumption of raw materials, or lower energy and fuel consumption due to reduced weight of vehicles. However, such beneficial effects of new technologies are often confronted by concerns regarding the safety of novel substances or materials. During the past 10 years, great effort has been put into research on potential hazards of nanomaterials towards environmental organisms. As the methodology for reliable assessment of nanomaterials was immature, many studies reporting contradictory results have been published, hindering both risk assessment for nanomaterials, as well as the knowledge communication to all involved stakeholders. Thus, DaNa2.0 serves as a platform to implement trusted knowledge on nanomaterials for an objective discussion.

Trace metal levels in serum and urine of a population in southern Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate serum and urine concentrations of several trace metals of a non-directly exposed population in southern Brazil and establish reference values. Serum and urine samples were obtained from 240 volunteers (175 males and 65 females, age ranging from 18 to 74 years old). Levels of arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, nickel, manganese and zinc were determined by means of dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS). Comparison between genders resulted in no significant difference for all metals but serum copper, as concentrations are higher in females than males. For most metals assessed, a negative correlation between serum concentrations and age was found, but no significant correlation was found between urine concentrations and age.

Equivalence reliability of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale between in-person and telephone administration.

There is a critical need to establish cost effective ways to monitor developmental progress of children at risk for developmental disabilities. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) is a well-known functional measure used for both clinical and research purposes. The objective of this study was to examine the equivalence reliability of the VABS using two different administration methods; in-person versus telephone interviews. Fifty children with or at-risk for developmental disability were tested (mean age of 77.5 +/- 18.5 months) using both interview formats. Correlations between in-person and telephone interview scores were extremely high for all subdomains including Communication (ICC = 0.99), Daily Living Skills (ICC = 0.98), Socialization (ICC = 0.96), Motor (ICC = 0.98) as well as the Adaptive Behavior Composite score (ICC = 0.99). The ability to collect reliable information on a child's developmental progress using a telephone interview format is critical, given current service delivery constraints.

Isomeric transitions in size-selected methanol hexamers probed by OH-stretch spectroscopy.

We have measured the isomeric transition between the energetically lowest lying isomers of S6 and C2-symmetry of (CH3OH)6. The clusters are size-selected by deflection in collisions with He, and the isomers are identified by their infrared spectra of the OH-stretching vibration. The measurements are carried out at three source temperatures 253, 300 and 373 K which correspond to the cluster temperatures 93, 106 and 135 K. The latter ones are estimated by a relaxation model that accounts for the cluster formation and the energy released by the condensation. The transition takes place at a cluster temperature of about 102 K which is in agreement with the Molecular Dynamics simulation of such a transition at about 117 K using a realistic model potential.

Ionization potentials of large sodium doped ammonia clusters.

In a continuous neat supersonic expansion ammonia clusters are generated and doped with sodium atoms in a pickup cell. Thus clusters of the form Na(NH(3))(n) are produced that are photoionized by a tunable dye laser system. The ions are mass analyzed in a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer, and the wavelength dependent ion signals serve for the determination of the ionization potentials (IP) of the different clusters in the size range 10< or =n< or =1500. Aside from a plateau for 10< or =n< or =17 and smaller steps at n=24, 35, and 59 on the average a continuous decrease of the IP with cluster size is observed. The IPs in this size range are linear with (n+1)(-13) and extrapolate to IP(n=infinity)=1.66+/-0.01 eV. The slope is consistent with a dielectric continuum model of the solvated electron and the dielectric constant of the solid. The extrapolated IPs are compared with results obtained for negative ammonia cluster ions and metallic solutions in liquid ammonia. Differences are explained by the presence of counterions and their various distances from the solvated electron.

Adding up provincial expenditures on health care for Manitobans: a POPULIS project. Population Health Information System.

OBJECTIVES: Using the POPULIS framework, this project estimated health care expenditures across the entire population of Manitoba for inpatient and outpatient hospital utilization, physician visits, mental health inpatient, and nursing home utilization. RESEARCH DESIGN: This estimated expenditure information was then used to compare per capita expenditures relative to premature mortality rates across the various areas of Manitoba. RESULTS: Considerable variation in health care expenditures was found, with those areas having high premature mortality rates also having higher health care expenditures.

A prospective study of the use of liquid oral dietary supplements in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of liquid oral dietary supplements among nursing home residents who were eating poorly and losing weight. DESIGN: A prospective, descriptive, anthropological study. SETTING: Two proprietary nursing homes with 105 and 138 beds. PARTICIPANTS: Purposive sampling was used to select 40 residents from among the 100 residents who were not eating well. Dietary data were collected on this sub-sample of 40 residents. MEASUREMENTS: Participant observation, in-depth interviews, event analysis, bedside dysphagia screenings, oral health examinations, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and chart review were used to collect data. Dietary data were collected over a 3-day period, and data were gathered on how supplements were ordered, served, and consumed. RESULTS: Supplements had been ordered for 29 of the subsample of 40 residents. Only nine of 29 residents were served the correct number and type of supplements as ordered by their physicians, and only two residents consumed the full amount of supplement as ordered. The overall mean percentage of supplement consumed compared with that ordered was 55.1%. Although supplements were ordered primarily to prevent weight loss and to facilitate weight gain, nearly half (n = 14) of the residents continued to lose weight. Supplements were ordered without investigating the underlying factors contributing to weight loss, such as inadequate staffing and lack of supervision at mealtime, undiagnosed dysphagia, and poor oral health. Without evaluation of these factors, it is unknown which residents might benefit from oral supplements. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that supplements were used nonspecifically as an intervention for weight loss in nursing home residents without regard to dose, diagnosis and management of underlying problem(s), amount of supplement consumed, and outcome. Further research is needed to establish when supplements should be ordered, how to ensure that they will be taken, and whether they are effective.

[Monotherapy with the ACE-inhibitor ramipril or the calcium antagonist nitrendipine in essential hypertension]. / Monotherapie mit dem ACE-Hemmer Ramipril oder dem Calcium-Antagonisten Nitrendipin bei essentieller Hypertonie.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and calcium antagonists have, by reason of their potentially favourable pharmacological profile, become increasingly established in the treatment of hypertension in recent years. In a double-blind randomized study with an initial placebo phase, carried out by practising physicians and thus aimed at the "usual" practice patients with essential hypertension, we assessed (1) the antihypertensive effect and tolerability of an ACE inhibitor (ramipril, 5 mg/d) or a calcium antagonist (nitrendipine, 20 mg/d) given in a single daily dose, and (2) a possible age-dependent blood pressure (BP) effect of these therapies. In the 4 weeks' placebo phase, the two treatment groups were comparable as regards average age (49.6 and 49.4 years), age-range (27-67 and 25-64 years) and BP. Fifty-two patients completed the following 6 weeks' phase with active drug therapy. On ramipril (n = 26), the BP measured 24-25 hours after the last drug administration was reduced in the supine position from an average of 155/102 to 142/91 mmHg (mean reduction -10.1%) and in the upright position from 156/106 to 141/96 mmHg (-9.3%). Nitrendipine (n = 26) reduced the average BP from 155/102 to 147/94 mmHg (-6.8%) and from 155/106 to 146/99 mmHg (-6.6%) respectively. BP-lowering effects of both treatments were largely independent of age. Including the patients who discontinued the study prematurely because of side effects (1 on ramipril, 4 on nitrendipine), the "intention to treat analysis" shows BP normalization rates (diastolic < or = 90 mm Hg) of 55% (ramipril) and 30% (nitrendipine) respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ligand effects on membrane lipids associated with sodium, potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase: comparative spin probe studies with rat brain and heart enzyme preparations.

Physical properties of membrane lipids associated with rat or dog brain and heart Na+, K+-ATPase preparations were compared using an electron spin resonance probe, 5-doxyl stearate. The degree of acyl chain order of the membrane lipids was greater for brain enzyme than for heart enzyme preparations; membrane lipids in the rat heart enzyme preparations were the most disordered. In the absence of added ligands, membrane lipids did not appear to undergo a detectable temperature-dependent rearrangement or structural transition. An apparent transition was observed in the simultaneous presence of Na+, Mg2+, and ATP. These ligands increased lipid order at temperatures above the structural transition, but not below it. In the presence of the above ligands, K+ caused a marked decrease in the transition temperature in the rat brain enzyme preparations, but only a modest decrease in rat heart enzyme preparations. Arrhenius plots of rat brain and heart Na+, K+-ATPase activity revealed a break point roughly corresponding to respective membrane lipid transition temperatures observed in the presence of Na+, K+, Mg2+, and ATP. A low concentration of ouabain (1 microM) failed to affect either the lipid transition temperature estimated by the spin probe or the value of lipid order of the rat brain enzyme preparations observed in the presence of Na+, Mg2+, and ATP, but markedly reduced the effect of K+ to lower the transition temperature observed in the presence of the above ligands. A high concentration (100 microM) of ouabain which was needed to completely inhibit rat heart enzyme eliminated the thermally induced structural rearrangement observed in the presence of Na+, Mg2+, and ATP, apparently through a nonspecific lipid perturbation. These results indicate that differences in the physical properties of the membrane lipids per se are unlikely to account for the low affinity of rat heart Na+, K+-ATPase for ouabain and also suggest that the use of high concentrations of ouabain required to completely inhibit Na+, K+-ATPase activity may cause nonspecific changes in addition to inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase or the sodium pump.

[Fertility and Turner syndrome]. / Fertilität und Turner-Syndrom.

A case of Turner's syndrome (45,X/47,XXX) with one pregnancy is reported. Review of the literature revealed additional 31 cases of fertility in women with gonadal dysgenesis associated with a 45,X chromosomal line. Abortion and stillbirth are frequent and the rate of malformation is high.

[Neonatal risk in early manifested maternal diabetes]. / Das neonatale Risiko bei frühmanifestiertem mütterlichem Diabetes.

Neonatal risk in 172 women with early manifested maternal diabetes mellitus (manifestation less than or equal to 18 years) has been estimated in an analysis of 10 years. We found a tendency towards an increased rate of mortality and malformations, but there are no statistic significant differences compared with the White B group as well as with the C/D-group of late manifestation. An increased risk of morbidity (rate of fetopathy , immaturity, disturbed adaptation) could be demonstrated, but it exists also in the newborns of diabetic mothers of the White group B. Using the recent literature the causes have been discussed and conclusions have been made.

[Gestation in early onset diabetes mellitus]. / Gestation bei frühmanifestem Diabetes mellitus.

Report about the gestation of 172 diabetic patients with manifestation of disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism in childhood or adolescence (Group White C and D early manifestation) based on a ten years experience. Relating to age of menarche, behaviour of menstrual cycle and course of pregnancy no significant difference could be found in comparison to 454 other diabetic patients delivered in the same clinic. Only the frequency of obstetrics operations of more than 50 per cent was higher significantly.

[Progesterone and unconjugated estriol in amniotic fluid and serum in diabetic patients during induction of labor]. / Progesteron und unkonjugiertes Ostriol im Fruchtwasser und Serum bei der vorzeitigen Geburtseinleitung von Diabetikerinnen.

Progesterone and unconjugated estriol are radioimmunologically estimated in 42 diabetic patients in amniotic fluid and serum during last weeks of pregnancy and in the course of oxytocin-induced parturition. As unconjugated estriol rises in progressing weeks of pregnancy progesterone remains unchanged in both investigated fluids. The quotient progesterone unconjugated estriol correlates with affection to labour. There is no statistically significant change in both steroid hormones during induced labour.

[Diagnosis of extrauterine pregnancy with special reference to ultrasound diagnosis and abdominal pregnancy]. / Beitrag zur Diagnostik der Extrauteringravidität unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Ultraschalldiagnostik und der Abdominalgravidität.

Extrauterine pregnancies scarcely achieve an advanced developmental stage and were rarely diagnosed preoperatively. Even the ultrasonic B scanning don't eliminate the difficulties in recognising the ectopic pregnancy. We can demonstrate this by means of 3 case. In one of them, a case of full term abdominal pregnancy with healthy fetus, we could diagnose this preoperatively.

[Endogenous prostaglandins and steroid hormones in premature labor induction in diabetic patients]. / Endogene Prostaglandine und Steroidhormone bei der vorzeitigen Geburtseinleitung von Diabetikerinnen.

Prostaglandins E and F2 alpha as well as two steroid hormones, progesterone and unconjugated oestriol, were measured in amniotic fluid of 30 diabetics. The prostaglandin levels of all patients went up with significance after the os uteri had clearly opened. No rise in prostaglandin levels was recordable from induction of labour without opening of the os uteri. High primary prostaglandin levels, prior to induction of labour, and low progesterone/oestriol quotients were observed along with short-time courses of parturition. On the other hand, low prostaglandin values prior to induction of labour and slow rise during induction were recordable from protracted courses of labour.

Prenatal diagnosis of anterior duplication anomaly (dicephalus diauchenos) by ultrasonography.

A 29 year old gravida 3, para 1 was referred in the 32nd pregnancy week for ultrasonography when a twin pregnancy was suspected. We found a fetal duplication with two heads in parallel position, biparietal diameter 81 mm (Fig. 1), a joint thoracic cavity measuring 86 x 92 mm (Fig. 2), reduced amniotic liquid and decreased spontaneous movements. The pelvic radiogram confirmed our suspension of an anterior duplication anomaly and showed only two arms and two legs for both fetuses but brought no additional information. The amniofetography failed. The contrast media ended up in the joint peritoneal cavity of the fetuses (Fig. 3). Delivery was in the 36th week by Cesarean section. The weight of the conjoint twins (Fig. 4) was 3210 grams, length 43 cm, and head circumference of each was 32 cm. Both fetuses showed independent respiratory movements and both briefly cried. Death occurred after 12 hours. Fig. 5 shows remnants of a scapula and Fig. 6 demonstrates a stump like leg remanent. Our prenatal diagnosis of an anterior duplication was confirmed by the autopsy. After a prenatal diagnosis of a duplication anomaly we recommend Cesarean section in term pregnancies. Considerations when deciding on the management of the pregnancy should include survival chances following possible surgical separation. If the diagnosis if made before the 24th week termination of the pregnancy might be considered.

[Pregnancy and delivery after renal transplantation (author's transl)]. / Schwangerschaft und Geburt nach Nierentransplantation.

A case report is given on a 21-years-old woman who became pregnant 18 months after renal transplantation. In spite of relatively unfavourable conditions (match 0,25; hypertension) renal function showed a good adaptation throughout the gestation. In the 38. week of pregnancy the woman was successfully delivered of a 2440 g healthy female child by vacuum extraction. There were no effects of the immunsuppressive drugs on the newborn. It is the third case of a successful delivery after renal transplantation in the GDR.