Do neutrophils play a role in the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome post-lung transplant?

published_or_final_versio

B 0 field inhomogeneity considerations in pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL): effects on tagging efficiency and correction strategy

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89456/1/nbm1675.pd

A Case of Near Total Aortic Replacement in an Adolescent With Loeys-Dietz Syndrome

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a recently described autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the genes for transforming growth factor-beta receptor type 1 or 2 (TGF-ßR 1/2). The syndrome predisposes patients to aortic aneurysm and dissections, along with craniofacial and musculoskeletal abnormalities. Here we report the case of an adolescent who underwent serial near total aortic replacement, from the aortic valve to the descending aorta. Loeys-Dietz syndrome was confirmed in this case by the detection of a mutation in the TGF-ßR 2 gene

Serum aspirin esterase is strongly associated with glucose and lipids in healthy subjects: different association patterns in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Aspirin esterase (AE) activity can account for part of aspirin pharmacokinetics in the circulation, possibly being associated with the impairment of aspirin effectiveness as an inhibitor of platelet aggregation.</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>The study was aimed at investigating the correlations of serum AE activity with cholinesterase (ChE) and metabolic variables in healthy subjects in comparison to subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In cardiovascular disease-free T2DM subjects and healthy controls, the AE activity levels and/or the correlation patterns between AE and the other variables were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neither AE nor ChE activities were higher in the subjects with T2DM. Serum AE activity strongly correlated with ChE as well as glucose/lipids variables such as total cholesterol and triglyceride in healthy subjects, while the correlations between AE and glucose/lipids variables were not present in T2DM subjects.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These data may reflect the pathophysiological changes between healthy and T2DM subjects. Our data may thus provide the basis for future studies to unravel the mechanisms.</p

Managing action research: the PEArL framework

The difficulty of managing and validating Action Research field studies has been widely discussed. Several different approaches to Action Research have emerged, and one of the most widely used models is Checkland’s FMA model, where a framework is provided to facilitate interested individuals in ‘recovering’ the route of the inquiry. In this paper, I argue that the FMA model is a valuable tool for planning the application of theoretical ideas in a practical situation, but that, as a guide to Action Research, it still fails to provide a sense of the manner in which an inquiry is undertaken. The PEArL mnemonic has been previously offered as a guide to facilitate researchers, participants, and those interested in gaining an appreciation of the manner in which an inquiry is conducted. In this paper, it is argued that applying the PEArL elements does not provide insight into the dynamic nature of collaborative inquiry. In order to gain a sense of the manner in which an inquiry was undertaken it is necessary to apply the PEArL mnemonic alongside a framework that facilitates the flow of the action research cycle. To illustrate the framework, an Action Research field study is described that was undertaken with residents and key workers in a shelter for the homeless, where the aim was to create a shared understanding of complex needs and support requirements

Effects of habitat and livestock on nest productivity of the Asian houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii in Bukhara Province, Uzbekistan

To inform population support measures for the unsustainably hunted Asian houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii (IUCN Vulnerable) we examined potential habitat and land-use effects on nest productivity in the Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan. We monitored 177 nests across different semi-arid shrub assemblages (clay-sand and salinity gradients) and a range of livestock densities (0–80 km-2). Nest success (mean 51.4%, 95% CI 42.4–60.4%) was similar across four years; predation caused 85% of those failures for which the cause was known, and only three nests were trampled by livestock. Nesting begins within a few weeks of arrival when food appears scarce, but later nests were more likely to fail owing to the emergence of a key predator, suggesting foraging conditions on wintering and passage sites may be important for nest productivity. Nest success was similar across three shrub assemblages and was unrelated to landscape rugosity, shrub frequency or livestock density, but was greater with taller mean shrub height (range 13–67 cm) within 50 m. Clutch size (mean = 3.2 eggs) and per-egg hatchability in successful nests (87.5%) did not differ with laying date, shrub assemblage or livestock density. We therefore found no evidence that livestock density reduced nest productivity across the range examined, while differing shrub assemblages appeared to offer similar habitat quality. Asian houbara appear well-adapted to a range of semi-desert habitats and tolerate moderate disturbance by pastoralism. No obvious in situ mitigation measures arise from these findings, leaving regulation and control as the key requirement to render hunting sustainable

Biomechanical testing of rectangular humeral shaft prosthesis: higher torsional stability without increased fracture risk

Background: Rectangular cementless femur shaft prostheses have a higher primary stability than round shafts. A novel rectangular humeral shaft design was tested with two questions: does the rectangular design cause a higher fracture risk during implantation than round designs, and does it increase the torsional stiffness? Materials and methods: Two series with six paired human humeri (total 24) were tested on one side with the rectangular shaft and on the contralateral side with a round shaft. In the first series, the shaft implantation was carried out with a constant speed of 100 mm/min and the maximum force was measured when the fracture occurred. In the second series, the implants were preloaded with 50 N and then rotated at 2° per second with monitoring of the torsional torque. Results: The maximum force at fracture showed no significant difference for the two designs (p = 0.34). Higher age and low bone density reduced the force required for fracture. The rectangular shaft showed significant higher torsional moments (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In biomechanical testing, the rectangular shaft had a significantly higher primary torsional stability than the round shaft without a higher risk of fracture during cementless implantation. Fracture risk and torsional stability are influenced by age and bone density.ISSN:0936-8051ISSN:1434-391

Impact of on-site cardiac catheterization on resource utilization and fatal and non-fatal outcomes after acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Patterns of care for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) strongly depend on the availability of on-site cardiac catheterization facilities. Although the management found at hospitals without on-site catheterization does not lead to increased mortality, little it known about its impact on resource utilization and non-fatal outcomes. METHODS: We identified all patients (n = 35,289) admitted with a first AMI in the province of Quebec between January 1, 1996 and March 31, 1999 using population-based administrative databases. Medical resource utilization and non-fatal and fatal outcomes were compared among patients admitted to hospitals with and without on-site cardiac catheterization facilities. RESULTS: Cardiac catheterization and PCI were more frequently performed among patients admitted to hospitals with catheterization facilities. However, non-invasive procedures were not used more frequently at hospitals without catheterization facilities. To the contrary, echocardiography [odds ratio (OR), 2.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.93–2.16] and multi-gated acquisition imaging (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.17–1.32) were used more frequently at hospitals with catheterization, and exercise treadmill testing (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.91–1.15) and Sestamibi/Thallium imaging (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88–0.98) were used similarly at hospitals with and without catheterization. Use of anti-ischemic medications and frequency of emergency room and physician visits, were similar at both types of institutions. Readmission rates for AMI-related cardiac complications and mortality were also similar [adjusted hazard ratio, recurrent AMI: 1.02, 95% CI, 0.89–1.16; congestive heart failure: 1.02; 95% CI, 0.90–1.15; unstable angina: 0.93; 95% CI, 0.85–1.02; mortality: 0.99; 95% CI, 0.93–1.05)]. CONCLUSION: Although on-site availability of cardiac catheterization facilities is associated with greater use of invasive cardiac procedures, non-availability of catheterization did not translate into a higher use of non-invasive tests or have an impact on the fatal and non-fatal outcomes available for study in our administrative database