Significant Decrease In Frequency Research Articles

Effect of Mycoplasma salivarium with and without L-arginine on karyotypic variability in cell line of Indian muntjac skin fibroblasts at long-term cultivation

The effect of Mycoplasma salivarium on the numerical and structural karyotypic variability was studied in the markerless cell line of Indian muntjac skin fibroblasts (line M) during long-term cultivation with and without L-arginine. The cultivation of mycoplasma-contaminated cells for 15 and 30 days did not change the character of cell distribution for the number of chromosomes. In contaminated cells cultivated for 60 and 75 days, the character of cell distribution for the chromosome number changed. These changes involve bimodal distribution for the chromosome number due to a significant decrease in frequency of the cells with the modal number of chromosomes with the main structural variant of karyotype (SVK) 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 and an increase in the frequency of cells with the submodal number of chromosomes with a main SVK of 2 + 2 + 1 + 1. Furthermore, a significant increase in the frequency of cells with lower numbers of chromosomes was observed after 60 days compared to that after 75 days of cultivation. After the cultivation of the contaminated and control cells in the medium with an elevated concentration of L-arginine for 60 days, the numerical parameters were unchanged relative to the control. The cultivation of contaminated cells for 60 days followed by the addition of L-arginine for 15 days restored the numerical parameters to the control level. In the contaminated cells, the frequency of chromosomal aberrations for 30, 60, and 75 days increased significantly compared to the control variant. After 30 days of cultivation, a small but statistically significant increase took place due to a uniform slight increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations of all types. After 60 and 75 days, a greater increase occurred due to a statistically significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal and chromatid breaks. Moreover, after 60 days, the level of dicentrics (telomeric associations) mainly produced by chromosomes 1 and 2 increased significantly. The role of dicentrics as for a means of adaptation for markerless cell lines to the condition of cultivation and the role of L-arginine in the restoration of the normal karyotypic structure of the line M cell population at mycoplasmal contamination are discussed.

A living cell quartz crystal microbalance biosensor for continuous monitoring of cytotoxic responses of macrophages to single-walled carbon nanotubes

BackgroundNumerous engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) exist and new ENMs are being developed. A challenge to nanotoxicology and environmental health and safety is evaluating toxicity of ENMs before they become widely utilized. Cellular assays remain the predominant test platform yet these methods are limited by using discrete time endpoints and reliance on organic dyes, vulnerable to interference from ENMs. Label-free, continuous, rapid response systems with biologically meaningful endpoints are needed. We have developed a device to detect and monitor in real time responses of living cells to ENMs. The device, a living cell quartz crystal microbalance biosensor (QCMB), uses macrophages adherent to a quartz crystal. The communal response of macrophages to treatments is monitored continuously as changes in crystal oscillation frequency (Δf). We report the ability of this QCMB to distinguish benign from toxic exposures and reveal unique kinetic information about cellular responses to varying doses of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).ResultsWe analyzed macrophage responses to additions of Zymosan A, polystyrene beads (PBs) (benign substances) or SWCNT (3-150 μg/ml) in the QCMB over 18 hrs. In parallel, toxicity was monitored over 24/48 hrs using conventional viability assays and histological stains to detect apoptosis. In the QCMB, a stable unchanging oscillation frequency occurred when cells alone, Zymosan A alone, PBs alone or SWCNTs without cells at the highest dose alone were used. With living cells in the QCMB, when Zymosan A, PBs or SWCNTs were added, a significant decrease in frequency occurred from 1-6 hrs. For SWCNTs, this Δf was dose-dependent. From 6-18 hrs, benign substances or low dose SWCNT (3-30 μg/ml) treatments showed a reversal of the decrease of oscillation frequency, returning to or exceeding pre-treatment levels. Cell recovery was confirmed in conventional assays. The lag time to see the Δf reversal in QCMB plots was linearly SWCNT-dose dependent. Lastly, the frequency never reversed at high dose SWCNT (100-150 μg/ml), and apoptosis/necrosis was documented in conventional 24 and 48 hr-assays.ConclusionThese data suggest that the new QCMB detects and provides unique information about peak, sub-lethal and toxic exposures of living cells to ENMs before they are detected using conventional cell assays.

Evaluation of DNA damage in agricultural workers exposed to pesticides using single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay

BACKGROUND:Pesticides are used in agriculture to protect crops, but they pose a potential risk to farmers and environment. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relation between the occupational exposure to various pesticides and the presence of DNA damage.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Blood samples of 210 exposed workers (after a day of intense spraying) and 50 control subjects belonging to various districts of Punjab (India) were evaluated using Comet assay. Sixty workers who showed DNA damage were selected for follow up at 5-6 months after the first sampling during a low or null spraying period.RESULTS:Significant differences were found in DNA damage between freshly exposed workers and controls and freshly exposed and followed up cases. There was significant increase in the comet parameters viz. mean comet tail length and frequency of cells showing migration in exposed workers as compared to controls (72.22 ± 20.76 vs. 46.92 ± 8.17, P<0.001; 31.79 vs. 5.77, P<0.001). In the second samples, followed up cases showed significant decrease in frequency of damaged cells as compared to freshly exposed workers of first sampling (P<0.05). The confounding factors such as variable duration of pesticide exposure, age, smoking, drinking and dietary habits etc which were expected to modulate the damage, were instead found to have no significant effect on DNA fragmentation.CONCLUSION:The evidence of a genetic hazard related to exposure resulting from the intensive use of pesticides stresses the need for educational programs for agricultural workers to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture.

Spatial patterns and trends of daily rainfall regime in Peninsular Malaysia during the southwest and northeast monsoons: 1975–2004

This study focuses on describing the patterns and trends of five selected rainfall indices in Peninsular Malaysia, based on daily rainfall data from 1975 to 2004. Five rainfall indices based on two main seasons, the northeast and southwest monsoons, were analyzed: total rainfall, frequency of wet days, rainfall intensity, frequency of wet days (extreme frequency), and rainfall intensity (extreme intensity) exceeding the long-term mean 95th percentile. The findings indicated that the eastern areas of the Peninsula were strongly influenced by the northeast monsoon, while the southwest monsoon had the greatest impact on the western part of the Peninsula, particularly the northwest. In studying the trends of these rainfall indices, the non-parametric Mann–Kendall test was used. The serial correlation and cross-correlation structure of the data were accounted for in determining the significance of the Mann–Kendall test results. It was found that there were differences in trend patterns over the Peninsula during both seasons, with a decrease in total rainfall and a significant decrease in frequency of wet days leading to a significant increase in rainfall intensity over the Peninsula, except in eastern areas, during the southwest monsoon. In contrast, a trend of significantly increasing total rainfall and an increase in frequencies of extreme rainfall events during the northeast monsoon caused a significantly increasing trend in rainfall intensity over the Peninsula to be observed. However, no significant trend was observed with respect to extreme intensity during both monsoons over the Peninsula. The findings of this study suggest that rainfall patterns in Peninsular Malaysia are very much affected by the northeast monsoon, based on the larger magnitude of changes observed in the rainfall indices.

Right Ventricular Ischemic Injury in Patients With Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background— Experimental data show that the right ventricle (RV) is more resistant to ischemia than the left ventricle. To date, limited data are available in humans because of the difficulty of discriminating reversible from irreversible ischemic damage. We sought to characterize RV ischemic injury in patients with reperfused myocardial infarction using cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Methods and Results— In 3 tertiary centers, 242 consecutive patients with reperfused acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were studied with cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 1 week and 4 months after myocardial infarction. T2-weighted and postcontrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance scans were used to depict myocardial edema and late gadolinium enhancement, respectively. Early after infarction, RV edema was common (51% of patients), often associated with late gadolinium enhancement (31% of patients). Remarkably, RV edema and late gadolinium enhancement were found in 33% and 12% of anterior left ventricular infarcts, respectively. Baseline regional and global RV functions were inversely related to the presence and extent of RV edema and RV late gadolinium enhancement. At follow-up, a significant decrease in frequency (25/242 patients; 10%) and extent of RV late gadolinium enhancement was observed ( P &lt;0.001). With the use of multivariable analysis, the presence of RV edema was an independent predictor of RV global function improvement during follow-up (β-coefficient=0.221, P= 0.003). Conclusions— Early postinfarction RV ischemic injury is common and is characterized by the presence of myocardial edema, late gadolinium enhancement, and functional abnormalities. RV injury is not limited to inferior infarcts but is commonly found in anterior infarcts as well. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance findings suggest reversibility of acute RV dysfunction with limited permanent myocardial damage at 4-month follow-up.

Associations between genes for killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and their ligands in patients with solid tumors

Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes were analyzed from panels of lung (non–small-cell lung cancer [NSCLC] and small-cell lung cancer [SCLC]), colon, and kidney cancer patients and compared with normal control subjects. No significant differences were noted between KIR gene frequencies in patients compared with normal subjects. When combinations of KIR genes and their HLA ligands were considered, there were significant decreases in frequencies of both KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 in homozygotes for their ligand HLA-C1, and an increase in the frequency of KIR3DL1 and its ligand HLA-Bw4 in kidney cancer patients compared with controls. Both associations were partly attributable to changes in ligand frequencies alone. NSCLC patients showed a significant increase in the frequency of KIR2DL1 and its ligand HLA-C2 and a corresponding decrease in frequency of KIR2DL3 and its ligand HLA-C1 in homozygotes. In NSCLC, the Ile80 form of HLA-Bw4 was decreased in KIR3DL1+ HLA-Bw4+ patients, whereas in SCLC the Ile80 form was increased and the Thr80 form decreased in KIR3DS1+ HLA-Bw4+ patients. These findings are consistent with increased co-expression of high-affinity inhibitory KIRs and their ligands, potentially resulting in decreased natural killer cell function, and hence with natural killer cells having a protective role in lung and kidney cancer but not colon cancer.

Human leucocyte antigen class II DRB1 and DQB1 associations in human immunodeficiency virus‐infected patients of Mumbai, India

The pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection clearly involves immunoregulatory host factors and products of major histocompatibility complex class II genes, which present antigenic peptides to the T-cell receptor on CD4+ cells, which in turn increase the production of specific antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The main objective of this study was to determine the associations of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DRB1 and DQB1 alleles and their haplotypes in 210 HIV-1-infected patients and compare them with 129 healthy normal individuals with same ethnic background. The HLA DRB1 and DQB1 alleles were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction product and sequence-specific probes for reverse line hybridization, analysed with the Invitrogen Dynal PMP software. Our results revealed a highly significant increase of HLA DRB1*0902 [odds ratio (OR) = 17.12; P = 0.004], DQB1*030103 (OR = 53.53; P = 4.61E-07) and DQB1*050201 (OR = 16.26; P = 0.0002) alleles while in contrast highly significant decrease in frequency of HLA DQB1*030101 (OR = 0.36; P = 0.0002), DQB1*050301 (OR = 0.22; P < 0.0001) and DQB1*060101 (OR = 0.43; P < 0.0001) among the HIV-1-infected patients when compared with the controls. The haplotype DRB1*0902-DQB1*030103 (OR = 10.65; P = 0.06) was significantly increased in HIV1 patients, while haplotypes DRB1*150101-DQB1*060101 (OR = 0.386, P < 0.0001), DRB1*030101-DQB1*020101 (OR = 0.197, P = 0.004) and DRB1*070101-DQB1*0202 (OR = 0.167, P = 0.001) were significantly decreased. Our results indicate clearly that there are HLA class II alleles involved in the susceptibility to and protection from HIV-1 infection in our study group and further they vary in different ethnic groups reported in literature.

The Role of Lexical Cohesive Devices in Triggering Negotiations for Meaning

The authors compare the frequency of negotiations for meaning in a natural spoken corpus to a variety of cohesive devices. The study demonstrates that a lack of cohesive devices in non-native speaker (NNS) discourse correlates to negotiations for meaning. The data comes from a year-long longitudinal study of six beginning NNSs and comprised 99 transcripts. The transcripts were coded for negotiations for meaning. Regression analyses suggested that causal cohesion and semantic co-referentiality were significantly related to the frequency of negotiations for meaning. Additionally, NNS discourse demonstrates a significant decrease in frequency of negotiations for meaning as a function of time. Taken together, these results suggest that negotiations for meaning are related to a lack of cohesive devices in NNS speech.

Allele *1 of HS1.2 Enhancer Associates with Selective IgA Deficiency and IgM Concentration

Selective IgA deficiency (IGAD) is the most common primary immunodeficiency, yet its pathogenesis is elusive. The IG (heavy) H chain human 3' Regulatory Region harbors three enhancers and has an important role in Ig synthesis. HS1.2 is the only polymorphic enhancer of the 3' RRs. We therefore evaluated HS1.2 allelic frequencies in 88 IGAD patients and 101 controls. Our data show that IGAD patients have a highly significant increase of homozygousity of the allele *1 (39% in the IGAD patients and 15% in controls), with an increase of 2.6-fold. Allele *4 has a similar trend of allele *2, both showing a significant decrease of frequency in IGAD. No relationship was observed between allele *1 frequencies and serum levels of IgG. However, allele *1 was associated in IGAD patients with relatively low IgM levels (within the 30th lowest percentile of patients). The HS1.2 polymorphism influences Ig seric production, but not IgG switch, in fact 30th lowest or highest percentile of IgG in patients did not associate to different frequencies of HS1.2 alleles. The control on normal healthy subjects did not correlate high or low levels of IgM or IgG with HS1.2 allelic frequence variation. Overall our candidate gene approach confirms that the study of polymorphisms in human diseases is a valid tool to investigate the function of these Regulatory Regions that confers multiple immune features.

Effect of immobilized laminin on karyotypic variability in two karyotypically different variants of the indian muntjac skin fibroblast cell line

The numerical and structural karyotypic variability has been investigated in the Indian muntjac skin fibroblasts "markerless" cell line MT and in its karyotypic variant MT(d) cultivated on the laminin 2/4 coated surface. In cell line MT preincubated in serum free medium for 2.5 and 1 h and then cultivated on the laminin-coated surface in the serum-containing medium for 1, 2 and 3 days, the character of cell distribution for the chromosome number has changed. These changes involve a significant decrease in frequency of cells with modal number of chromosomes, and an increase in frequency of cells with lower chromosomal number. Some new additional structural variants of the karyotype (SVK) appeared. The observed alterations seem to be due to disturbances of chromosome segregation and establishing a new advantageous balance karyotypic structure. The karyotypic variant MT(d) distinguished from MT by the increased number of dicentrics (telomeric associations) and cultivated under the same conditions showed no change in the character of cell distribution for the chromosome number. In cell line MT, the frequency of chromosomal aberrations did not change relative to control variants. In karyotypic variant MT(d) under the same conditions. the frequency of chromosomal aberrations significantly increases in 3 days mainly due to formation of dicentrics. These results confirm the conclusion that, similarly to aneuploidy, formation of dicentrics in "markerless" cell lines appears to be the way for cell population to adapt to unfavourable factors of the environment. Possible reasons for differences in the character of the numerical and structural karyotypic variability between cell line MT and its karyotypic variant MT(d) are discussed.

The Impact of North Atlantic Wind and Cyclone Trends on European Precipitation and Significant Wave Height in the Atlantic

An analysis of the frequency of cyclones and surface wind velocity for the Euro-Atlantic sector is performed by means of an objective methodology. Monthly and seasonal trends of cyclones and wind speed magnitude are computed and trends between 1960 and 2000 evaluated. Results reveal a significant frequency decrease (increase) in the western Mediterranean (Greenland and Scandinavia), particularly in December, February, and March. Seasonal and monthly analysis of wind magnitude trends shows similar spatial patterns. We show that these changes in the frequency of low-pressure centers and the associated wind patterns are partially responsible for trends in the significant height of waves. Throughout the extended winter months (October-March), regions with positive (negative) wind magnitude trends, of up to 5 cm/s/year, often correspond to regions of positive (negative) significant wave height trends. The cyclone and wind speed trends computed for January-March are well matched by the corresponding trends in significant wave height, with February being the month with the highest trends (negative south of lat 50 degrees N up to -3 cm/year, and positive up to 5 cm/year just north of Scotland). Trends in European precipitation are assessed using the Climatic Research Unit data set. The results of the assessment emphasize the link with the corresponding tendencies of cyclone frequencies. Finally, it is shown that these changes are associated, to a large extent, with the preferred phases of major large-scale atmospheric circulation modes, particularly with the North Atlantic Oscillation, the eastern Atlantic pattern, and the Scandinavian pattern.

Forced Vibration Testing of a Four-Story Reinforced Concrete Building Utilizing thenees@UCLA Mobile Field Laboratory

The nees@UCLA mobile field laboratory was utilized to collect forced and ambient vibration data from a four-story reinforced concrete (RC) building damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Both low amplitude broadband and moderate amplitude harmonic excitation were applied using a linear shaker and two eccentric mass shakers, respectively. Floor accelerations, interstory displacements, and column and slab curvature distributions were monitored during the tests using accelerometers, linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) and concrete strain gauges. The use of dense instrumentation enabled verification of common modeling assumptions related to rigid diaphragms and soil-structure-interaction. The first six or seven natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios were identified. Significant decreases in frequency corresponded to increases in shaking amplitude, most notably in the N-S direction of the building, most likely due to preexisting diagonal joint cracks that formed during the Northridge earthquake.

Cellular prion protein modulates defensive attention and innate fear-induced behaviour evoked in transgenic mice submitted to an agonistic encounter with the tropical coral snake Oxyrhopus guibei

The cellular prion protein ( PrP C ) is a neuronal anchored glycoprotein that has been associated with distinct functions in the CNS, such as cellular adhesion and differentiation, synaptic plasticity and cognition. Here we investigated the putative involvement of the PrP C in the innate fear-induced behavioural reactions in wild-type (WT), PrP C knockout ( Prnp 0/0 ) and the PrP C overexpressing Tg-20 mice evoked in a prey versus predator paradigm. The behavioural performance of these mouse strains in olfactory discrimination tasks was also investigated. When confronted with coral snakes, mice from both Prnp 0/0 and Tg-20 strains presented a significant decrease in frequency and duration of defensive attention and risk assessment, compared to WT mice. Tg-20 mice presented decreased frequency of escape responses, increased exploratory behaviour, and enhancement of interaction with the snake, suggesting a robust fearlessness caused by PrP C overexpression. Interestingly, there was also a discrete decrease in the attentional defensive response (decreased frequency of defensive alertness) in Prnp 0/0 mice in the presence of coral snakes. Moreover, Tg-20 mice presented an increased exploration of novel environment and odors. The present findings indicate that the PrP C overexpression causes hyperactivity, fearlessness, and increased preference for visual, tactile and olfactory stimuli-associated novelty, and that the PrP c deficiency might lead to attention deficits. These results suggest that PrP c exerts an important role in the modulation of innate fear and novelty-induced exploration.

Frequencies of circulating CD4+CD25+CD127low cells in atopics are altered by bronchial allergen challenge

Recent studies in rodents revealed that regulatory T cells (T reg cells) with CD4+CD25+ phenotype can exert suppressive effects on experimentally-induced allergic airway inflammation and airway hyper-reactivity. It is unclear however, whether modulations of bronchoconstriction responses in human subjects might be related to T reg cells. We report here for the first time the changes in frequency of circulating lymphocytes with putative T reg cell phenotype (CD4+CD25+CD127low) in relation to bronchoconstriction phenotype following an intrabronchial allergen challenge. Thirty-one house dust mite sensitive patients were challenged with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract (Dp). Eleven isolated early responders (IER) were compared with nine dual (early and late) responders (DR) and to 11 non-responders (NR). Frequencies of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+CD127low lymphocytes were assessed in all groups of patients by using three-parameter flow cytometry before, and six and 24 h, after allergen inhalation. At baseline, frequencies of CD4+CD25+CD127low lymphocytes were not statistically different among NR, IER and DR. When all individuals were analyzed together, a statistically significant decrease in frequency of CD4+CD25+CD127low lymphocytes was observed 6 h after the bronchial challenge. Interestingly, such a pattern was found consistently only in NR, while IER and DR displayed varying responses resulting in a trend similar to that of NR. Twenty-four hours after the bronchial challenge, frequencies of CD4+CD25+CD127low lymphocytes in all groups tended to return to baseline values. Our data indicate that bronchial allergen inhalation in sensitive patients (predominantly in those who did not develop significant bronchoconstriction) is associated with a decrease of proportion of peripheral lymphocytes with regulatory T cell phenotype.

Reorganization of GABAergic circuits maintains GABAA receptor‐mediated transmission onto CA1 interneurons in α1‐subunit‐null mice

The majority of hippocampal interneurons strongly express GABA(A) receptors containing the alpha1 subunit, suggesting that inhibitory control of interneurons is important for proper function of hippocampal circuits. Here, we investigated with immunohistochemical and electrophysiological techniques how these GABA(A) receptors are replaced in mice carrying a targeted deletion of the alpha1-subunit gene (alpha1(0/0) mice). Using markers of five major populations of CA1 interneurons (parvalbumin, calretinin, calbindin, neuropeptide Y and somatostatin), we show that these interneurons remain unaffected in alpha1(0/0) mice. In triple immunofluorescence staining experiments combining these markers with the GABA(A) receptor alpha1, alpha2 or alpha3 subunit and gephyrin, we demonstrate a strong increase in alpha3- and alpha2-GABA(A) receptors clustered at postsynaptic sites along with gephyrin in most CA1 interneurons in alpha1(0/0) mice. The changes were cell type-specific and resulted in an increased number of GABAergic synapses on interneurons. These adjustments were mirrored functionally by retention of spontaneous IPSCs with prolonged decay kinetics, as shown by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of CA1 interneurons. However, a significant decrease in frequency and amplitude of miniature IPSCs was evident, suggesting reduced affinity of postsynaptic receptors and/or impaired vesicular GABA release. Finally, to assess whether these compensatory changes are sufficient to protect against a pathological challenge, we tested the susceptibility of alpha1(0/0) mice against kainic acid-induced excitotoxicity. No genotype difference was observed in the effects of kainic acid, indicating that the absence of a major GABA(A) receptor subtype is functionally compensated for in hippocampal interneurons by a reorganization of inhibitory circuits.

Bilateral S3 Stimulator in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis

To show the value of placing bilateral sacral nerve stimulators in patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis with the symptoms of frequency, urgency, and pain. A retrospective chart review was performed of patients who had had bilateral S3 stimulators placed during a 6-month period. At consultation immediately before undergoing the procedure and on subsequent postoperative visits, these patients completed the Urinary Distress Inventory short form and voiding diaries. Patients were excluded if sacroneuromodulation had been attempted to be placed previously, if patients had any identifiable neurologic deficits, or if they had any evidence of urinary retention. The mean age of the 15 patients was 43.2 years, with a mean follow-up of 14.1 months. Student's t test was used to compare the preoperative and postoperative values. The mean decrease in frequency and nocturia was 10.4 voids (P <0.001) and 2.6 voids (P <0.001), respectively. The change in the Urinary Distress Inventory short form showed that patients had satisfaction postoperatively (P <0.001). Four patients also noted improvement in fecal incontinence after the procedure, with a mean decrease in episodes of 2.75 (P <0.01). The results of this study have demonstrated that patients with bilateral stimulator placement have a significant decrease in frequency and nocturia with postoperative satisfaction. Also, evidence of possible improvement in the daily episodes of fecal incontinence was demonstrated.

279: Quality of life surveys: Are responders different from non-responders?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe male and female LT patients’ symptoms before and up to 6 months after LT. Methods and Materials: Subjects completed self-administered instruments before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after transplant. The Transplant Symptom Inventory, a 67-item, two-part instrument, measures symptom frequency and symptom distress on a 5-point likert scale. Rank order and change over time were analyzed with RIDIT analysis and Mantell-Hanzel chi-square. Significance was set at p 0.05). Results: The sample consisted of 163 LT patients, the majority were white (96 females and 67 males. Before LT, both genders ranked shortness of breath (SOB) with activity as the most distressing and most frequently occurring symptom Six months after LT, both genders reported a significant decrease in the frequency of SOB with activity, the frequency and distress for SOB at rest, and a significant decrease in frequency of fatigue, chest tightness, and feelings of lack of control. Females also reported a significant decrease in the frequency of heart palpitations, tiring easily and feelings of helplessness. In contrast, male LT recipients reported a significant decrease in the distress associated with SOB with activity, tiring easily, feeling afraid and feeling sad. Males also reported significant decreases in the frequency of sleepiness, fever, and feeling depressed, helpless and irritable. Negative symptoms reported by females included a significant increase in the frequency of tremors. Negative symptoms reported by males included a significant increase in distress due to the frequent occurrence of tremors, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Conclusions: At six months post LT, both genders reported significantly less SOB and fatigue and a significant decrease in the occurrence of feeling helpless. Male recipients reported more positive improvements as well as more negative symptoms than females. These findings underscore the importance of assessing changes in symptoms over time and to realize that gender differences exist.

Causes Of Death At Autopsy In Hospitalized Adult Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Study From A Developing Country

In order to determine the causes of death at autopsy in hospitalized adult diabetic patients at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), we reviewed the autopsy reports of consecutive autopsies performed over a 14-year period (1991 – 2004) in the Department of Pathology at the UHWI. Of the two thousand five hundred and forty-one adult autopsy reports retrieved, 400 (15.7%) represented patients with diabetes mellitus. The commonest cause of death was infection, followed by cardiovascular disease, which showed increasing frequency with time. Hyperglycaemic coma showed a significant decrease in frequency from the first seven-year period to the second. A reduction in mortality may possibly be accomplished through: patient education protocols that re-emphasise the importance of preventing injury and infection and the need for prompt solicitation of medical attention if infections occur; aggressive management of infections; and careful monitoring of cardiovascular function. Factors influencing the presence and severity of vascular disease require further investigation.

HISTOMORPHOMETRICAL STUDY OF PANCREAS IN MEHRABAN FEMALE SHEEP

Summary In the present study, pancreas glands in Mehraban breed of female sheep were histomorphometrically studied in four different age groups included: fetus, newborn, sexually mature and old ages. The results of histomorphometrical analysis with regard to frequency and percentage of parenchymal and stromal structures such as, exocrine secretory units, secretory ducts, blood vessels, islets of Langerhans and stromal connective tissue showed that minimum and maximum percentages of structures within the whole gland belonged in fetal stage, to blood vessels and stromal connective tissue; newborn stage, to blood vessels and exocrine secretory units; in sexually mature, to islets of Langerhans and exocrine secretory units and in old stage, also to islets of Langerhans and exocrine secretory units, respectively. The diameter changes of islets of Langerhans in different age groups from minimum to maximum were included: fetus, old, sexually mature and newborn stages. In comparison between different age groups, the frequency of exocrine secretory units showed a significant increase from fetal stage to newborn, sexually mature and old stages (P<0.05). On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in frequency of secretory ducts from fetal stage to newborn, sexually mature and old stages and there was also a significant decrease in frequency of blood vessels from fetal to newborn stage (P<0.05). Significant decrease was also observed in frequency of islets of Langerhans from fetal and newborn stages to sexually mature and old stages. In comparison between groups, there was a significant increase in diameter of islets of Langerhans from fetal to newborn and sexually mature stages and decrease from newborn to sexually mature and old stages. Our study revealed that, there was no significant difference in parenchymal and stromal structures and diameter of islets of Langerhans between different parts of the gland in each age group. However, the above mentioned parameters often showed significant differences between different age groups. These differences were more prominent between fetal stage compared to the other age groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that structural changes of parenchyma and stroma of pancreas gland begin from pre-natal period and will proportionally continue during the period of post-natal development.

Patch Testing: A Retrospective Analysis of 103 Patients With Emphasis on Practical Aspects for the Clinician

Allergic contact dermatitis is a common dermatologic disorder caused by small chemical molecules that can penetrate the skin barrier. Thousands of chemicals capable of inducing allergic contact dermatitis have been identified. To cure allergic contact dermatitis, the allergen should be identified and eliminated from the environment of the patient. Patch testing, utilizing a variety of standard panels of the most frequent allergens, is used to identify the allergen in question. Patch testing is still the gold standard tool used to identify one or more substances that may contribute to the etiology of allergic contact dermatitis. To determine the frequency of patch test positivity and to identify the most common allergens in patients with suspected allergic contact dermatitis. A retrospective analysis of files of 103 patients who have been clinically diagnosed to have allergic contact dermatitis and have been patch tested using a standard technique with a Northern American Contact Dermatitis Group series. Sixty-two patients (60.2%) showed positive reactions to one or more substance. The most common allergens were nickel sulfate, fragrance mix, and neomycin sulfate. There was an increased frequency of positive reactions to fragrance mix and a significant decrease of frequency of thimerosal positive reactions. Increased awareness of allergens and their potential sources may help to limit the usage of these chemicals in manufacturing consumer products. This may have contributed to decreased prevalence rates of certain allergens such as thimerosal and paraphenylenediamine.