Diabetic microangiopathy in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients after successful pancreatic and kidney or solitary kidney transplantation

To evaluate the beneficial effect of pancreatic grafting on peripheral microcirculation and long-term clinical outcome, we compared data of 28 Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients either given a pancreatic and kidney graft simultaneously or given a solitary kidney graft (n=17). Peripheral microcirculation was estimated by transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement (including reoxygenation potential after blood flow occlusion) and erythrocyte flow / velocity by a non-contact laser speckle method. All the measured parameters showed significant differences between diabetic and control subjects in the mean follow-up time of 49 (simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation) and 43 (solitary kidney transplantation) months. The data from patients after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation revealed an improvement of transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement (rise from 46±2 mm Hg to 63±3 mmHg), reoxygenation time (fall from 224±12s to 114±6s) and laser speckle measurement (rise from 4.2±1.7 to 5.6±1.8 relative units). The control group with solitary kidney transplantation did not show a positive evaluation. Data from patients after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation revealed an improvement in transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement, reoxygenation time and laser speckle measurement whereas the control group with solitary kidney transplantation did not show a positive evaluation. Improved microcirculation was more pronounced in patients with better microvascular preconditions. The results confirm that diabetic microangiopathy is positively influenced by pancreatic transplantation

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN INSTRUMENTED TREKKING POLE USE DURING DOWNHILL WALKING

This study examined gender differences when hiking downhill with and without trekking poles. Fourteen men and thirteen women were recruited who had hiking and poling experience. Integrated and peak GRF and braking forces (BF), integrated EMG, and trekking pole forces were collected and analyzed. A MANOVA using mean gain scores examined statistical significance (p=.05). Moderate correlations were noted for pole forces and the dependent variables, but no statistical significance was found for the mean gain scores between gender. Trends were noted for peak Fz and BF between gender, with men demonstrating a greater reduction in forces. Men on average also generated greater pole loads, even when normalized for body mass. Four distinct patterns of pole use effectiveness were observed posthoc, but crossed gender lines. Overall, pole loading may be a contributing mechanism to a reduction in forces and muscle activity for men more so than women, but high subject variability limits the strength of this conclusion

TREKKING POLE FORCES DURING DOWNHILL WALKING

This study examined gender differences when hiking downhill with trekking poles. Fourteen men and thirteen women were recruited who had hiking and poling experience. Integrated pole forces were examined over two pole strikes (left pole followed by right pole) prior to and during a stance phase of a step. Total pole force was compared between gender, as well the percent of pole force during the actual stance phase of the step. Left and right pole strikes were also examined for symmetry. Men generated a greater combined pole force than women (0.61N/kg vs. 0.48N/kg) but the differences were not statistically significant. During the stance phase, 48% of the combined pole force occurred for men, but only 35% of the pole force was noted for the women. Pole forces were less symmetrical for the women as well, although also not statistically different. Similar total pole forces between gender with less pole force during stance phase indicates pole walking technique differences rather than a lack of upper body strength, for women, who previously demonstrated less footfall force changes when walking with poles than without, in comparison to men

Long-term results in pancreatic transplantation with special emphasis on the use of prolamine

Our pancreatic transplantation programme was initiated in 1979. Since then a total of 102 pancreas transplantations have been performed, blocking exocrine secretion using the duct occlusion technique with prolamine. Early non-immunological complications are frequent. The long-term results (9 years) in combined pancreas and kidney transplanted patients are satisfying: the survival rate for pancreas is 38% and 54% for kidney. Patient survival rate in this period is 85%. Beyond the first year post-transplant the exocrine activity disappears whereas the endocrine function remains well preserved

Corn planting date: Understanding plant grwoth and yield response

Research was conducted to equip Iowa producers with more accurate corn planting date information based on their specific location. Objectives for this research project addressed during the presentation include: 1. What are the optimum planting windows for maximum yield? 2. How do new recommendations (2006-2009 data) compare to previous ISU recommendations (1998-2000 data)? 3. What are the risks associated with planting outside the optimum window? 4. How is plant growth and development impacted by varying planting dates? 5. Are grain yield differences correlated with differences in growth and development

Understanding corn development: A key for successful crop management

The new publication, Corn Growth and Development, will be released January 2011 (Abendroth et al., 2011) and replaces How a Corn Plant Develops, Special Report 48 by Iowa State University (Ritchie et al., 1986). Corn Growth and Development (CGD) highlights include: Text based on new corn growth and development research; Images of the plant above- and below-ground; Timelines showcasing crop development across large periods of time; and Season-long nutrient and biomass accumulation curves derived from ISU research conducted during 2007 and 2008

Type II secretion: from structure to function

Gram-negative bacteria use the type II secretion system to transport a large number of secreted proteins from the periplasmic space into the extracellular environment. Many of the secreted proteins are major virulence factors in plants and animals. The components of the type II secretion system are located in both the inner and outer membranes where they assemble into a multi-protein, cell-envelope spanning, complex. This review discusses recent progress, particularly newly published structures obtained by X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy that have increased our understanding of how the type II secretion apparatus functions and the role that individual proteins play in this complex system.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74575/1/j.1574-6968.2006.00102.x.pd