CAV-2 Vector Development and Gene Transfer in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems

The options available for genetic modification of cells of the central nervous system (CNS) have greatly increased in the last decade. The current panoply of viral and nonviral vectors provides multifunctional platforms to deliver expression cassettes to many structures and nuclei. These cassettes can replace defective genes, modify a given pathway perturbed by diseases, or express proteins that can be selectively activated by drugs or light to extinguish or excite neurons. This review focuses on the use of canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) vectors for gene transfer to neurons in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. We discuss (1) recent advances in vector production, (2) why CAV-2 vectors preferentially transduce neurons, (3) the mechanism underlying their widespread distribution via retrograde axonal transport, (4) how CAV-2 vectors have been used to address structure/function, and (5) their therapeutic applications

Patterns of Injuries in Drowning Patients - Do These Patients Need a Trauma Team?

Introduction. Drowning is a major public health hazard worldwide, but associated traumatic injuries are rare. This study examined injuries and interventions performed on this population to assess the need for the trauma team activation. Methods. A 12-year retrospective review was conducted on all fatal and non-fatal drowning patients who underwent a trauma work-up. Data collection included demographics, injury characteristics, interventions, and outcomes. Results. Forty-three patients met inclusion criteria. Median patient age was six years (interquartile range 2 - 20) with 27.9% of patients under the age of 2 years. Most patients were white (62.8%) and male (69.8%), with median GCS score of 3 (60.5% had initial GCS = 3 with 25.6% with GCS = 15). Only two patients suffered traumatic injuries. Only two patients required operations, neither of which suffered traumatic injury. Eleven patients suffered anoxic brain injury (25.6%). Overall mortality was 48.8% (n = 21). Conclusion. Patients who present with drowning and no traumatic mechanism have a very low rate of traumatic injuries. Work-up and treatment would be appropriate for emergency physicians without the need for a trauma activation

Diseño de un modelo matemático para el manejo y el control de los inventarios en la honorable cámara de representantes en la ciudad de Bogotá D.C.

La falta de calidad y que el personal que realiza el manejo y control de los inventarios, impide que se tenga un control total de los inventarios que entran y salen de la Cámara de Representantes, y la actual globalización de los mercados impone a las empresas una acrecentada y dinámica competencia. Este proceso exige que las empresas tengan un abanico de estrategias para que las compras, la producción y la financiación tengan costos más bajos. La reducción de gastos sin reducir ingresos es, hoy en día, vital para la propia subsistencia de la empresa. La Cámara de Representante maneja un alto margen de inventarios, debido a esto se hace necesario realizar el estudio solo para 50 elementos más utilizados y más despachados por la oficina de suministros, y su índice de salida y de entrada está 9 limitado a lo pedido por oficinas y no por un estudio el cual muestre que cantidad se debe entregar a cada oficina del claustro

Probabilistic Assessment of Sex-Dependent Medical Risk During Spaceflight

No abstract availabl

To preserve or not to preserve the orbit in paranasal sinus neoplasms : A meta-analysis

Context The effect on survival of orbital evisceration on patients with paranasal sinus neoplasms has not been well established. Objective To review systematically the available literature concerning survival in patients who undergo surgery for paranasal sinus neoplasm with and without preservation of the eye. Data Source A retrospective meta-analysis of English and non-English articles using Medline and the Cochrane database. Eligibility Criteria Studies analyzing 5-year survival rates in patients who had orbital evisceration compared with orbital preservation for the treatment of paranasal sinus neoplasms were included in the final analysis. Data Extraction Independent review by two authors using predefined data fields. Data Synthesis A meta-analysis of four articles involving 443 patients was performed using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects method. Results Our analysis revealed a total effect size of 0.964 in favor of preservation of the eye; however, these results are not robust, having a true effect size anywhere from 0.785 to 1.142 with a 95% confidence interval. Limitations Only retrospective observational studies were included because a prospective randomized study cannot be performed in this population. Conclusion Our study supports the notion that in select patients preservation of the eye may yield a different outcome when compared with orbital evisceration

Setting a VO2 Max Standard for NASA Astronauts During Spaceflight

Aerobic fitness is best measured by Maximal Aerobic Capacity or VO2 Max which is defined as a measure of oxygen utilization and transport. Increased Vo2 max indicates improved oxygen consumption during high level exercise and is widely accepted as a predictor of an individual's likelihood of successfully completing a demanding task. As such, agencies and organizations have adopted VO2 max as part of a comprehensive set of physical requirements. The purpose of this study is to review the literature and existing medical and occupational VO2 max data, to propose a VO2 max standard for NASA astronauts for training and spaceflight