CR3 (CD11b/CD18) activation of nasal neutrophils: a measure of upper airway endotoxin exposure

Inhaled endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) initiates an inflammatory response and leads to the expression of CR3 (CD11b/CD18) receptors on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). We determined if PMN activation in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) is a possible biomarker of occupational endotoxin exposure. Seven subjects exposed to endotoxin provided NLF samples that were split into three aliquots (negative control - 1 M nicotinamide; sham; positive control - 11 eta g of exogenous LPS) and PMN activation was measured using a chemiluminometer. Differences in mean PMN activation were apparent, negative control: 548 +/- 15.65 RLU 100 mu l(-1); sham: 11469 +/- 2582 RLU 100 mu l(-1); positive control: 42026 +/- 16659 RLU 100 mu l (n = 7; p < 0.05). This technique shows promise as a diagnostic method for measuring upper airway LPS exposure.

Regulation and crystallization of phosphorylated and dephosphorylated forms of truncated dimeric phenylalanine hydroxylase

Phenylalanine hydroxylase is regulated in a complex manner, including activation by phosphorylation. It is normally found as an equilibrium of dimeric and tetrameric species, with the tetramer thought to be the active form. We converted the protein to the dimeric form by deleting the C-terminal 24 residues and show that the truncated protein remains active and regulated by phosphorylation. This indicates that changes in the tetrameric quaternary structure of phenylalanine hydroxylase are not required for enzyme activation. Truncation also facilitates crystallization of both phosphorylated and dephosphorylated forms of the enzyme.

Early diagnostic and endoscopic dilatation for the treatment of acquired upper airway stenosis after intubation in children

Background: Upper airway stenosis (UAS) after endotracheal intubation is a common problem in children. Most literature refers to a surgical treatment for these lesions. Laryngotracheal reconstruction and cricotracheal resection are used for low- and high-grade stenosis, but decannulation is not always possible immediately after surgery. Purpose: The aim of this study was to verify the feasibility and results of endoscopic dilatations for treatment of subglottic stenosis. Method: The study encompassed a 12-year retrospective analysis of patients treated for UAS in a tertiary center. All children were symptomatic at the time of the endoscopic diagnosis. The stenosis was graded according to the Myer-Cotton criteria. Endoscopic dilatation was initiated immediately after the diagnosis. Children with grade IV stenosis underwent surgery. Results: Children with tracheal stenosis and no involvement of the subglottic area did not respond to endoscopic dilatations and underwent surgery. There were 45 children with grade I stenosis, 12 with grade II, 7 with grade III, and 4 with grade IV lesions. Patients with grade I, II, and III stenosis were a] I treated by endoscopic dilatations alone and were decannulated when asymptomatic. The average time for decannulation was 18.90 +/- 26.07 months for grade 1, 32.5 +/- 27.08 months for grade 11, and 27.57 +/- 20.60 months for grade III stenosis (P < .01, for grade II vs grade III). Conclusion: Grade I, II, and III subglottic stenoses can be safely managed by early endoscopic dilatations with a high rate of success and low rate of morbidity but require a significantly long period of treatment. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Surface electromyographic assessment of patients with long lasting temporomandibular joint disorder pain

The normalized electromyographic characteristics of masticatory muscles in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) and healthy controls were compared. Thirty TMD patients (15 men, 15 women, mean age 23 years) with long lasting pain (more than 6 months), and 20 control subjects matched for sex and age were examined. All patients had arthrogenous TMD according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD). Surface electromyography of masseter and temporal muscles was performed during maximum teeth clenching either on cotton rolls or in intercuspal position. Standardized EMG indices and the median power frequency were obtained, and compared between the two groups and sexes using ANOVAs. During clenching, the TMD patients had larger asymmetry in their temporalis muscles, larger temporalis activity relative to masseter, and reduced mean power frequencies than the control subjects (p < 0.05, ANOVA). In both groups, the mean power frequencies of the temporalis muscles were larger than those of the masseter muscles (p < 0.001). No sex related differences, and no sex x group interactions were found. In conclusion, young adult patients with long lasting TMD have an increased and more asymmetric standardized activity of their temporalis anterior muscle, and reduced mean power frequencies, relative to healthy controls. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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?

Evaluation of the temperature of different refrigerant sprays used as a pulpal test

The temperature of different refrigerant sprays (Endo-Ice, Endo-Frost, Coolermatic and Sprayon Contact and Tuner Cleaner) used as pulpal tests were evaluated in vitro. A thermocouple placed inside the pulp chamber of a maxillary central incisor was used to register the temperature changes when the refrigerant sprays were applied with a cotton swab, for 10 s. Results indicate that Endo-Ice and Endo-Frost presented the lowest temperatures among the refrigerant sprays tested. Temperatures measured inside the pulp chamber, however, were statistically similar in all groups.

The effectiveness of mineral trioxide aggregate, calcium hydroxide and formocresol for pulpotomies in primary teeth

Aim To compare the effectiveness of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), calcium hydroxide (CH) and formocresol (FC) as pulp dressing agents in carious primary teeth. Methodology Forty-five primary mandibular molars with dental caries in 23 children [AUTHOR QUERY: How many children?] between 5 and 9 years old were treated by a conventional pulpotomy technique. The teeth were randomly assigned to the experimental ( CH or MTA) or control ( FC) groups. After coronal pulp removal and haemostasis, remaining pulp tissue was covered with MTA paste or CH powder in the experimental groups. In the control group, diluted FC was placed with a cotton pellet over the pulp tissue for 5 min and removed; the pulp tissue was then covered with zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) paste. All teeth were restored with reinforced ZOE base and resin modified glass-ionomer cement. Clinical and radiographic successes and failures were recorded at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 month follow-up. Results Forty-three teeth were available for follow-up. In the FC and MTA groups, 100% of the available teeth were clinically and radiographically successful at all follow-up appointments; dentine bridge formation could be detected in 29% of the teeth treated with MTA. In the CH group, 64% of the teeth presented clinical and radiographic failures detected throughout the follow-up period, and internal resorption was a frequent radiographic finding. Conclusions Mineral trioxide aggregate was superior to CH and equally as effective as FC as a pulpotomy dressing in primary mandibular molars. Internal resorption was the most common radiographic finding up to 24 month after pulpotomies performed with CH.

Standardization of the Electromyographic Signal Through the Maximum Isometric Voluntary Contraction

The objective of this study was to analyze the electromyographic (EMG) data, before and after normalization. One hundred (100) normal subjects (with no signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders) participated in this study. A surface EMG of the masticatory muscles was performed. Two different tests were performed: maximum voluntary clench (MVC) on cotton rolls and MVC in intercuspal position. The normalization was done using the mean value of the EMG signal of the first examination. The coefficient of variation CV showed lower values for the standardized data. The standardization was effective in reducing the differences between records from the same subject and in different subjects.

Immediate Effect of the Resilient Splint Evaluated Using Surface Electromyography in Patients with TMD

The aim of this study was to analyze the immediate effect of resilient splints through surface electromyography testing and to compare the findings with the electromyographic profiles of asymptomatic subjects. The participants were 30 subjects, 15 patients with TMD (TMD Group) and 15 healthy subjects (Control Group), classified according to Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) Axis I. A resilient occlusal splint was made for each patient in the TMD Group from two mm thick silicon to cover all teeth. The EMG examination was performed before and immediately after installing the splint. Three tests were performed as follows: 1. Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) using cotton rolls (standards test); 2. MVC in maximal intercuspation position; and 3. MVC with the splint in position. The EMG signal was recorded for five seconds. EMG indices were calculated to assess muscle symmetry, jaw torque, and impact. There was a statistically significant difference when comparing the results among the study groups. The symmetry index values in the Control Group were higher than the TMD Initial Group and similar to the TMD Group after the installation of the splint. The index values of torque were higher in TMD Initial Group when compared with the Controls. Impact values were lower than normal values in the TMD Initial Group and restored upon installation of the splint. The resilient occlusal splints may be used as complementary or adjunctive treatment of temporomandibular disorders.

Evidence for the presence of a widespread PCDD source in coastal sediments and soils from Queensland, Australia

Recent studies have demonstrated the occurrence of elevated levels of higher chlorinated PCDDs in the coastal environment of Queensland, Australia. This study presents new data for OCDD contamination and full PCDD/F profile analysis in the environment of Queensland. Marine sediments, irrigation drain sediments and topsoil were collected from sites that were expected to be influenced by specific land-use types. High OCDD concentrations were associated mainly with sediments collected near the mouth of rivers which drain into large catchments in the tropical and subtropical regions. Further, analysis of sediments from irrigation drains could be clearly differentiated on the basis of OCDD contamination, with high concentrations in samples from sugarcane drains collected from coastal regions, and low concentrations in drain sediments from drier inland cotton growing areas. PCDD/F congener-specific analysis demonstrated almost identical congener profiles in all samples collected along the coastline. This indicates the source to be widespread. Profiles were dominated by higher chlorinated PCDDs, in particular OCDD whereas 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDFs were below the limit of quantification in the majority of samples. The full PCDD/F profile analysis of samples strongly resemble those reported for lake sediments from Mississippi and kaolinite samples from Germany, Strong similarities to these samples with respect to congener profiles and isomer patterns may indicate the presence of a similar source and/or formation process that is yet unidentified. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Larval diet affects number of femoral 'brush' scales in male Helicoverpa punctigera moths (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

Males of Helicoverpa punctigera (Wallengren) show considerable variation in the number of femoral scales on the prothoracic legs. Such intraspecific variation in adult morphology could indicate the presence of undetected sibling species, or it may be related to larval diet. Helicoverpa putactigera is polyphagous, and different host plant species are likely to represent diets of different quality. Femoral lengths and the numbers of femoral scales on the prothoracic legs were therefore determined from: (i) individuals that had been collected as larvae from various host species in the field; and (ii) individuals that had been laboratory-reared, in split-family tests, on different diets, namely cotton, lucerne, sowthistle and artificial diet. Host plant species (and therefore presumably diet quality) influenced femoral length of H. punctigera males and, perhaps in conjunction with this, the number of femoral scales on the fore leg. The rearing experiment indicated, in addition, that the effect of host plant quality varies with larval stage, and that the pattern of this variation across the immature stages is dependent on host plant species. The recorded variation in the morphology of field-collected H. punctigera males is therefore most readily explained as a consequence of different individuals developing (at least for most of their larval life) on different host plant species, with diet quality varying significantly with species. The relevance of these results for insect developmental studies and evolutionary interpretations of host relationships is outlined.

Host selection and utilisation of Sonchus oleraceus (Asteraceae) by Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae): A genetic analysis

The cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) prefers the common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.) to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) for oviposition in the field in Australia. Using the common sowthistle and cotton as host plants, we carried out this study to evaluate genetic variation in both oviposition preference and larval growth and genetic correlation between maternal preference and larval performance. There was a significant genetic component of phenotypic variation in both characters, and the heritability of oviposition preference was estimated as 0.602. Helicoverpa armigera larvae survived slightly better and grew significantly faster on common sowthistle than on cotton, but genetic correlation between maternal preference and larval growth performance was not detectable. Instead, larval growth performance on the two hosts changed with families, which renders the interaction between family and host plant significant. As a result, the genetic correlation between mean values of larval growth across the two host species was not different from zero. These results are discussed in the context of the relationship between H. armigera and the common sowthistle and the polyphagous behaviour of this insect in general.