Impact of maternal vitamin A supplementation on the mother-infant pair in Brazil

Background/Objectives: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem. The supplementation of lactating women could be an effective strategy to combat it. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of maternal vitamin A supplementation on the mother-infant pair. Subjects/Methods: This was a double blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical assay in which 33 women received 200 000 IU of vitamin A and 33 women received soy oil between 20th and 30th postpartum days. Maternal blood and milk samples were collected immediately before supplementation and 3 months after delivery, when blood was also collected from the babies. Retinol concentrations <= 0.70 mu mol/l in serum and 1.05 mu mol/l in milk were considered to indicate VAD. Results: Increase in serum retinol level was observed in the supplemented group compared with the pre-supplementation levels (1.05 and 1.17 mu mol/l, respectively; P = 0.026) and to the post-supplementation levels of the control group (1.02 mu mol/l; P = 0.032). Reduction in breast milk retinol was observed in the control group compared with the pre-supplementation levels (1.93 and 1.34 mu mol/l, respectively; P<0.0001) and to the post-supplementation levels of the supplemented group (1.56 mu mol/l; P = 0.0003). There was significant difference in the prevalence of VAD in breast milk after supplementation, 55.6% (15/27) in the control group and 16.1% (5/31) in the supplemented group (P = 0.002). VAD was present in 66.1% (39/59) of infants, with mean serum retinol levels of 0.64 +/- 0.30 mu mol/l in the control group and of 0.69 +/- 0.26 mu mol/l in the supplemented group. Conclusions: Supplementation had a positive impact on maternal vitamin A status. No effect on infant status was detectable 2 months after supplementation with a single dose. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 1302-1307; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.165; published online 15 September 2010

Tetrasomy 8 in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

We report a case of a 47-year-old man diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with two extra copies of chromosome 8. Classical cytogenetic analysis by the immunostimulatory combination of DSP30 and interleukin 2 showed tetrasomy of chromosome 8 in 60% of the metaphase cells (48,XY,+8,+8[12]/46,XY[8]). Spectral karyotype analysis confirmed the abnormality previously seen by G banding. Additionally, interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization using an LSI CEP 8 probe performed on peripheral blood cells without any stimulant agent showed tetrasomy of chromosome 8 in 54% of analyzed cells (108 of 200). To our knowledge, tetrasomy 8 as the sole chromosomal abnormality in CLL has not been previously described. The prognostic significance of tetrasomy 8 in CLL remains to be elucidated. However, the patient has been followed up in the outpatient hospital since 2004 without any therapeutic intervention and has so far remained stable. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of the Additional Er:YAG Laser Conditioning Step on the Microleakage of Class V Restorations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of an additional Er:YAG laser conditioning step after laser cavity preparations, on the microleakage of class V composite restorations. Forty-eight bovine incisors were randomly divided into four groups: G1(control) cavities prepared with bur, G2- cavities prepared with laser (400 mJ/2 Hz), G3-cavities prepared and subsequently conditioned with Er:YAG laser (60 mJ/2 Hz); G4-idem for G3, but the laser conditioning was carried out without water-spray. All the cavities were restored using Clearfill SE Bond (R) and Z-250 (R) composite resin. The samples were thermal cycled for 700 cycles and then immersed in 50% silver nitrate solution. The sectioned restorations were exposed to a photoflood lamp to reveal silver nitrate penetration. The Kruskal-Walis one-way analyses of variance test and post hoc Wilcoxon pair-wise comparison were used to compare microleakage degrees. At the gingival margin G2 showed a lower microleakage mean than the control bur-prepared cavities (p = 0.0003). At occlusal margins there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (p = 0.28). It may be concluded that Er:YAG laser class V cavity preparations do not need to be followed by an additional laser conditioning step to result in levels of microleakage similar to or lower than those obtained after bur preparations. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 87B: 538-543, 2008

Angiomyolipomatous hamartoma of the upper lip: A rare case in an 8-month-old child and differential diagnosis

Hamartoma is a proliferation of normal tissues that are considered endogenous to the site of occurrence. In the head and neck region, hamartomas composed of other tissues different from blood and lymphatic vessels (hemangiomas and lymphangiomas) are very uncommon. We report an unusual case of upper lip angiomyolipomatous hamartoma in an 8-month-old patient. The patient underwent surgical treatment and the 1-year follow-up revealed no signs of recurrence. Angiomyolipomatous hamartoma is a very rare condition in the paediatric population group, especially in the head and neck region. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of congenital lesions in childhood. (C) 2010 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery.

Modelling basin level allocation of water in the Murray-Darling Basin in a world of uncertainty, Murray-Darling Program Working Papers WPM05-1, Risk and Sustainable Management Group, 8 February 2005

Abstract: The Murray-Darling Basin comprises over 1 million km2; it lies within four states and one territory; and over 12, 800 GL of irrigation water is used to produce over 40% of the nation's gross value of agricultural production. This production is used by a diverse collection of some-times mutually exclusive commodities (e.g. pasture; stone fruit; grapes; cotton and field crops). The supply of water for irrigation is subject to climatic and policy uncertainty. Variable inflows mean that water property rights do not provide a guaranteed supply. With increasing public scrutiny and environmental issues facing irrigators, greater pressure is being placed on this finite resource. The uncertainty of the water supply, water quality (salinity), combined with where water is utilised, while attempting to maximising return for investment makes for an interesting research field. The utilisation and comparison of a GAMS and Excel based modelling approach has been used to ask: where should we allocate water?; amongst what commodities?; and how does this affect both the quantity of water and the quality of water along the Murray-Darling river system?

Precursor scavenging of the resistive grain-boundary phase in 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia: Effect of trace concentrations of SiO2

The influence that trace concentrations Of SiO2 have on improving grain-boundary conduction via precursor scavenging using additional heat treatment at 1200 degreesC for 40 h before sintering was investigated. At a SiO2-impurity level (SIL) less than or equal to 160 ppm by weight, the grain-boundary resistivity (p(gb)) decreased to 20% of its value, while no improvement in grain-boundary conduction was found at a SIL greater than or equal to 310 ppm. The correlation between the resistance per unit grain-boundary area, p(gb), and average grain size indicated that the inhomogeneous distribution of the siliceous phase in the sample with a SIL greater than or equal to 310 ppm. hampered the scavenging reaction.

Gingival crevicular fluid levels of MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-2, and MPO decrease after periodontal therapy

P>Background This study aimed at comparing the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, tissue Inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2, Myeloperoxidase (MPO), and MMP-9 in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of chronic periodontitis (CP) patients and controls at baseline and 3 months after non-surgical therapy. Materials and Methods GCF was collected from one site of 15 control subjects and 27 CP patients. MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were determined by Enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay; different forms of MMP-9, by gelatin zymography; and MPO, colorimetrically. Results At baseline, higher levels of MMP-8, TIMP-2, MPO, and the 87 kDa-MMP-9 were found in patients compared with controls (p < 0.001), and these molecules decreased after therapy (p < 0.03). There were no differences between the groups with respect to the higher molecular forms of MMP-9 (180, 130, 92 kDa) or total MMP-9 at baseline. No differences were observed in TIMP-1 levels. In controls, decreased levels of TIMP-2 and the higher molecular forms of MMP-9 (180, 130, 92 kDa) were found 3 months after therapy compared with baseline (p < 0.01). Conclusions Higher levels of MMP-8, TIMP-2, MPO, and 87 kDa MMP-9 were found in the GCF of patients compared with controls, and these markers decreased 3 months after periodontal therapy.

Assessment of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, and their inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 in obese children and adolescents

Objectives: To compare the circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, pro-MMP-2, pro-MMP-9, and total MMP-9, their endogenous inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2, and the MMP-8/TIMP-1, MMP-9/TIMP-1, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios in normotensive obese children and adolescents with those found in non obese children and adolescents. Design and methods: We studied 40 obese and 40 non obese (controls) children and adolescents in this cross-sectional study. MMP and TIMP concentrations were measured in plasma samples by gelatin zymography and ELISA. Results: Obese children and adolescents had higher circulating MMP-8 concentrations, lower plasma TIMP-1 concentrations, and higher MMP-8/TIMP-1 ratios than non obese controls (P < 0.05). We found no differences in pro-MMP-9 or total MMP-9 levels, or in MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios between groups (P > 0.05). While we found no significant differences in pro-MMP-2 levels (P > 0.05) obese Subjects had higher TIMP-2 concentrations and lower pro-MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios (P < 0.05) than non obese controls. Conclusions: In conclusion, we found evidence indicating higher net MMP-8 (but not MMP-9 and MMP-2) activity in childhood obesity. The increased MMP-8 levels found in obese children suggest a possibly relevant pathophysiological mechanism that may be involved in the increase of cardiovascular risk associated with childhood obesity. (c) 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Increased circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-9, and pro-inflammatory markers in patients with metabolic syndrome

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) predisposes to cardiovascular complications. Increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators and imbalanced concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) may reflect the pathophysiology of MetS. We compared the circulating levels of MMPs, TIMPs, and inflammatory mediators in MetS patients with those found in healthy controls. Methods: We studied 25 healthy subjects and 25 MetS patients. The plasma levels of pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 were determined by gelatin zymography. The plasma concentrations of MMP-8, MMP-3, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1), and sP-selectin were measured by ELISA kits. Results: We found higher sP-selectin, sICAM-1, MCP-1, and IL-6 (all P<0.05) concentrations in MetS patients compared with healthy controls. No differences in pro-MMP-2, MMP-3, and TIMP-2 levels were found (all P>0.05). However, we found higher pro-MMP-9, MMP-8. and TIMP-1 levels in MetS patients compared with healthy controls (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Patients with MetS have increased circulating concentrations of pro-MMP-9, MMP-8, and TIMP-1 that are associated with increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules. These findings suggest that MMPs may have a role in the increased cardiovascular risk of MetS patients. Pharmacological interventions targeting MMPs, especially MMP-9 and MMP-8 deserve further investigation in MetS patients. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Human twinning is not linked to the region of chromosome 4 syntenic with the sheep twinning gene FecB

The tendency to dizygotic (DZ) twinning is inherited in both humans and sheep, and a fecundity gene in sheep (FecB) maps to sheep chromosome 6, syntenic with human 4q21-25. Our aim was to see whether a gene predisposing to human DZ twinning mapped to this region. DNA was collected from 169 pairs and 17 sets of 3 sisters (trios) from Australia and New Zealand who had each had spontaneous DZ twins, mostly before the age of 35, and from a replication sample of 111 families (92 affected sister pairs) from The Netherlands. Exclusion mapping was carried out after typing 26 markers on chromosome 4, of which 8 spanned the region Likely to contain the human homologue of the sheep FecB gene. We used nonparametric affected sib pair methods for linkage analysis [ASPEX 2.2, Hinds and Risch, 1999]. Complete exclusion of linkage (lod < -2) of a gene conferring a relative risk for sibs as low as 1.5 ((s) > 1.5) was obtained for all but the p terminus region on chromosome 4. Exclusion in the syntenic region was stronger, down to lambda (s) = 1.3. We concluded that if there is a gene influencing DZ twinning on chromosome 4, its effect must be minor. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A comparative study of the radiation resistance of four optically transparent polyimides

A comparative study of the high energy radiation resistance to formation of radicals in two pairs of polymers is reported. In one pair of polymers the phenyl groups containing the imide rings are separated by an ether linkage and in the other pair they are separated by an hexafluoroisopropylidine group. Two of the polymers contained aromatic amine units linked through an ether linkage and the other two polymers contained a trifluoromethyl biphenyl diamine. The polymers were shown to retain a high level of transparency in the visible region following radiolysis to doses as high as 8 Gy. ESR studies of the resistance to radical formation on radiolysis. at 77 K revealed that the polymers containing ether linkages were more stable than their fluorinated analogues, but all were less stable than Kapton (R). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

HI observations of interacting galaxy pair NGC 4038/9

We present the results of new radio interferometer Hi line observations for the merging galaxy pair NGC 4038/9 ('The Antennae'), obtained using the Australia Telescope Compact Array. The results improve substantially with respect to those of van der Hulst and show in detail the two merging galactic discs and the two tidal tails produced by their interaction. The small edge-on spiral dwarf galaxy ESO 572-G045 is also seen near the tip of the southern tail, but distinct from it. It shows no signs of tidal interaction. The northern tidal tail of the Antennae shows no HI connection to the discs and has an extension towards the west. The southern tidal tail is continuous, with a prominent HI concentration at its tip, roughly at the location of the tidal dwarf galaxy observed optically by Mirabel, Dottori & Lutz. Clear velocity structure is seen along the tidal tails and in the galactic discs. Radio continuum images at 20 and 13 cm are also presented, showing the discs in detail.

Adrenocorticotropin stimulation tests in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease: low dose, standard high dose and 8-h infusion tests

Objectives Low doses of ACTH [1-24] (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mug per 1.73 m(2)) may provide a more physiological level of adrenal stimulation than the standard 250 mug test, but not all studies have concluded that the 1.0 fig is a more sensitive screening test for central hypoadrenalism. Eight-hour infusions of high dose ACTH [1-24] have also been suggested as a means of assessing the adrenals' capacity for sustained cortisol secretion. In this study, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of three low dose ACTH tests (LDTs) and the 8-h infusion with the standard 250 jig test (HDT) and the insulin hypoglycaemia test (IHT) in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease. Subjects and design Three groups of subjects were studied. A healthy control group (group 1, n=9) and 33 patients with known hypothalamic or pituitary disease who were divided into group 2 (n=12, underwent IHT) and group 3 (n=21, IHT contraindicated). Six different tests were performed: a standard IHT (0.15 U/kg soluble insulin); a 60-minute 250 mug HDT; three different LDTs using 0.1 mug, 0.5 mug and 1.0 mug (all per 1.73 m(2)); and an 8-h infusion test (250 mug ACTH [1-24] at a constant rate over 8 h). Results Nine out of the 12 patients in group 2 failed the IHT. Three out of 12 patients from group 2 who clearly passed the IHT, also passed all the ACTH [1-24] stimulation tests. Seven of the 9 patients who failed the lHT, failed by a clear margin (peak cortisol