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A new composite anode material of Ag and polymeric carbon was prepared by heat-treating the mixture of polyacrylonitrile and AgNO3. They were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and electrochemical measurements. It was found that the addition of Ag was favorable for the improvement of electrochemical performance of the composite in comparison with the virginal polymeric carbon. These improvements were due to an increase of electronic conductivity, alloying of lithium with Ag and smaller particle size of the composites. The optimal amount of Ag addition is 5% based on the molar ratio of the monomer unit. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The objective of this study was to determine the cytocompatibility of three different extracts of gingival retraction cords and to compare the cytotoxic effect of these materials on human gingival fibroblasts. Gingival retraction cords impregnated with aluminium sulphate (Gingi-Aid), dl-adrenaline HCl (Gingi-Pak) and non-drug-impregnated cord (Gingi-Plain) were eluted with culture medium for 10 min and 24 h. Cytotoxicity was judged using a tetrazolium bromide reduction assay. Our data demonstrated that gingival retraction cords applied alone almost completely inhibited cell viability (P0.05). In addition, the results also showed that the eluates from aluminium sulphate-impregnated cord, dl-adrenaline HCl-impregnated cord and non-drug-impregnated cord were cytotoxic to primary human gingival fibroblast cultures (P0.05). The cell viability of incubation of gingival fibroblasts containing 10-min eluates of aluminium sulphate, dl-adrenaline HCl and non-drug-impregnated cord was 61, 21 and 70%, respectively. The cell viability of incubation of gingival fibroblasts containing 24 h eluates of aluminium sulphate, dl-adrenaline HCl and non-drug-impregnated cord was 68, 58 and 72%, respectively. It was found that dl-adrenaline HCl-impregnated gingival retraction cord was the most toxic gingival retraction cord among the materials tested in all cultures (P0.05). The cytotoxicity decreased in an order of dl-adrenaline HCl-impregnated cordaluminium sulphate-impregnated cordnon-drug-impregnated cord. The extent or degree of the cytotoxicity depended on the materials tested. Gingival retraction cords have significant potential for gingival toxicity. Careful management of gingiva retraction cords would lower the risk of potential gingival tissue damage during clinical application procedure and thus increase the success of prosthodontic procedures.

Background: Pain on injection is still a major problem with propofol. We performed this study to compare different doses of intravenous (i.v.) ketorolac with and without venous occlusion and its effect on the incidence and the severity of the pain after propofol injection. Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized and double-blind study of 180 patients (20–60 years of age.) scheduled to undergo elective surgery. Six groups of patients were generated: group A received normal saline (NS) 2 ml i.v.; groups B, C, D received ketorolac 10 mg in 2 ml NS with venous occlusion (VO) and a subsequent propofol injection at either 30, 60 or 120 s; groups E and F received ketorolac 15 mg and 30 mg in 2 ml NS and propofol was injected after 60 s. The pain perception was assessed during injection of propofol in all patients. Result: The incidence of propofol-associated injection pain was for A: 46.7%; B: 43.4%; C: 23.3%; D:16.7%; E: 20%, and F: 10%. The incidence of pain following propofol injection was reduced by i.v. ketorolac 10 mg with venous occlusion for 120 s. Furthermore, i.v. ketorolac 15 mg and 30 mg but not 10 mg following propofol injection after 60 s without venous occlusion revealed significant pain reduction when compared to saline group. There was no difference in venous sequelae at 7 days postoperatively between the groups. Conclusion: Our results suggested that pretreatment with i.v. 15 and 30 mg ketorolac reduces pain following propofol injection. Moreover, pretreatment with i.v. ketorolac 10 mg with venous occlusion for 120 s achieves the same pain relief effect.

This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the prognostic value of uterine perfusion on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration in patients who were undergoing intrauterine insemination. Uterine perfusion was evaluated by measuring the pulsatility index of the ascending branch of the uterine arteries on the day of administration of human chorionic gonadotropin. No pregnancy occurred when the pulsatility index of the ascending branch of the uterine arteries was more than 3. The fecundity rate was 18% when the pulsatility index was less than 2 and was 19.8% when the pulsatility index was between 2 and 3 (not significant). The continuing pregnancy rate was 18% when the pulsatility index was less than 2, compared with 12.1% when the pulsatility index was between 2 and 3 (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that the measurement of uterine perfusion on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration may have predictive value regarding fecundity and the continuation of pregnancy in intrauterine insemination.

Background Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) catalyzes the majority of arginine methylation in cells and plays important roles in the differentiation and development of neurons. It is also implicated in the regulation of nitric oxide synthetase (NOS). Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by the absence of intramural ganglion cells in the nerve plexuses of the distal gut. Methods Western blot analyses revealed reduced PRMT1 protein levels in the aganglionosis segments of HSCR patients. Immunohistochemistry detected PRMT1 expression in the colonic mucosa, the enteric nervous system (ENS) and endothelial cells. Specific and strong PRMT1 expression in neuron cell bodies of the plexus was demonstrated by immunofluorescent double-labeling with neuron-specific marker HuC/D. Key Results In the mucosa, PRMT1 was detected at all crypt cells. Intensive PRMT1 staining was detected in the submucosal and the myenteric plexuses in normal or oligoganglionosis segments. Aganglionosis segments from HSCR patients contain no plexuses, and thus not labeled with PRMT1. The phenomenon is specific to the megacolon of HSCR as strong PRMT1 staining was observed in plexuses of the rectal ectasia segments (dilated rectum and distal sigmoid not related with aganglionosis) from anorectal malformation patients. Furthermore, PRMT1 was also present in the same neuronal cells expressing neuronal NOS in the plexuses. Conclusions & Inferences We suggest that PRMT1 can be a useful marker for HSCR. This study is the first illustration of PRMT1 protein expression in human tissues from non-cancerous disease and set up the base for further investigations of PRMT1 function in ENS development and intestinal motility.

The test results of 320 units of a laser initiated microdetonator are summarized. The commercially fabricated units used a lead styphnate/lead azide/HMX (1 mg/13.5 mg) explosive train design contained in a miniature aluminum can that was capped with a glass-metal seal window. The test parameters were the laser energy, temperature, laser pulse duration, laser wavelength and nuclear radiation (5,000,000 rad of 1 MeV gamma rays). The performance parameters were the laser energy for ignition and the actuation response time.

Positive and negative ion laser desorption Fourier transform mass spectra of ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, and their sodium and potassium salts have been determined. A number of differences between these spectra and previously reported laser microprobe mass analyzer (LAMMA) spectra are found. In contrast with earlier results, m/z 175 anions are present in all negative ion spectra, as are cluster ions. Thus, it should not be concluded that the radical salts are electroneutral, as claimed in the earlier study.