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Many previous studies have investigated the use of post-mortem biochemistry to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI). Vitreous humour (VH) potassium and sodium/chloride levels are well recognized to increase and decrease, respectively, in the post-mortem period but have limited ability in estimating PMI. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is described to have different post-mortem biochemical properties than VH, but is not well studied in relation to estimating PMI. This exploratory study examined 20 paired cases of VH and CSF to investigate their use in estimating PMI. Linear univariate analysis showed Na+, Cl− and K+ in VH and CSF share similar trends, but only K+ in VH and CSF collected via lumbar puncture (LP) showed a significant regression coefficient (p < 0.01). In subsequent linear multivariate analysis, the coefficient for K+ in VH remained positive and significant but not for K+ in CSF. Only minor improvement was observed in the multivariate analysis. Our study showed changes in analytes in VH and CSF follow similar trends. K+ in VH is most accurate in estimating the PMI, with no significant improvement in accuracy when K+ in CSF is combined. Thus, the role of CSF electrolytes in estimating PMI may be very limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and vitreous humour (VH) can be biochemically analysed post-mortem. CSF can be aspirated from the ventricular system (VA) and from lumbar puncture (LP), whereas, VH is aspirated from the orbits. This study compared the biochemical constituents between CSF and VH in 20 post-mortem subjects as well as the effect post-mortem interval and subject age have on these variables. VH samples had significantly higher sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) and lower magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), urea (Ur) and creatinine (Cr) compared with CSF samples. No statistically significant difference was demonstrated with beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and glucose levels in both VH and both CSF samples. Interestingly, some of the differences in the biochemical analysis correlated with age, but none with post-mortem interval. In addition to sampling and pre-analytical sample processing differences, there may also be ante- and post-mortem factors explaining these observations. This study suggests that post-mortem CSF and VH are biochemically different and reference ranges for VH are not recommended for use in CSF samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orofacial clefting is a common birth defect with wide phenotypic variability. Many systems have been developed to classify cleft patterns to facilitate diagnosis, management, surgical treatment, and research. In this review, we examine the rationale for different existing classification schemes and determine their inter-relationships, as well as strengths and deficiencies for subclassification of clefts of the lip. The various systems differ in how they describe and define attributes of cleft lip phenotypes. Application and analysis of the cleft lip classifications reveal discrepancies that may result in errors when comparing studies that use different systems. These inconsistencies in terminology, variable levels of subclassification, and ambiguity in some descriptions may confound analyses and impede further research aimed at understanding the genetics and etiology of clefts, development of effective treatment options for patients, as well as cross-institutional comparisons of outcome measures. Identification and reconciliation of discrepancies among existing systems is the first step towards creating a common standard to allow for a more explicit interpretation that will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the causes and manifestations of phenotypic variations in clefting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inexpensive optical multichannel analyzer (OMA) has been constructed on an AT-compatible computer. Both a linear charge-coupled device and a linear photodiode array can be used as the detector mounted at the exit of a number of polychromators. Circuits, software, and performance of the OMA are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature programmed fractionation mass spectrometry can be used to quickly screen for the major constituents in plant and herbal tissues. The method is particularly useful if one is searching for a good plant source of a desired compound. It is also shown that simple extraction followed by mass spectrometry has no advantage over the quick screening method. Limitations and possible improvements of the method are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daily walking exercise is of definite value in the treatment of intermittent claudication. A plea for more frequent use of this mode of therapy is made. The role of the treating physician in gaining and maintaining complete patient cooperation and continued enthusiasm for the program cannot be overemphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Epithelioid sarcomas of the hand are rare, high-grade tumors with a propensity for regional lymphatic spread approaching 40%. Case presentation A 54-year-old male with an epithelioid sarcoma of the palm was treated with neoadjuvant radiation, wide excision, and two-stage reconstruction. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was used to stage the patient's axilla. Sentinel node biopsy results were negative. The patient has remained free of local, regional and distant disease for the follow-up time of 16 months. Conclusion The rarity of this tumor makes definitive conclusions difficult but SLN biopsy appears to be a useful adjunct in the treatment of these sarcomas.

Abstract Background Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a debilitating fibro-proliferative disorder of the hand characterized by the appearance of fibrotic lesions (nodules and cords) leading to flexion contractures of the fingers and loss of hand function. Although the molecular mechanism of DD is unknown, it has been suggested that transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) may play an important role in the underlying patho-physiology of the disease. The purpose of this study was to further explore this hypothesis by examining the effects of TGF-β2 on primary cell cultures derived from patient-matched disease and normal palmar fascia tissue using a three-dimensional collagen contraction assay. Methods Fibroblast-populated collagen lattice (FPCL) contraction assays using primary cell cultures derived from diseased and control fascia of the same DD patients were studied in response to exogenous TGF-β2 and neutralizing anti-TGF-β2 antibodies. Results Contraction of the FPCLs occurred significantly faster and to a greater extent in disease cells compared to control cells. The addition of TGF-β2 enhanced the rate and degree of collagen contraction in a dose-dependent fashion for both control and diseased cells. Neutralizing anti-TGF-β2 antibodies abolished exogenous TGF-β2 stimulated collagen contraction, but did not inhibit the enhanced basal collagen contraction activity of disease FPCL cultures. Conclusions Although exogenous TGF-β2 stimulated both disease and control FPCL contraction, neutralizing anti-TGF-β2 antibodies did not affect the elevated basal collagen contraction activity of disease FPCLs, suggesting that the differences in the collagen contraction activity of control and disease FPCL cultures are not due to differences in the levels of endogenous TGF-β2 activity.

Demands for plant-based food and beverage products have escalated in recent years. However, many commercial coffee creamers are still being made using dairy derivatives such as sodium caseinate. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the replacement of dairy based proteins with plant-based alternatives. This study was carried out to systematically investigate the properties of model O/W emulsions stabilized by either sodium caseinate (0.25 to 1.5%) or soy lecithin (0.5 to 1.5%). The model emulsions were made of 10% medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil-in-water emulsions at pH 7. All model O/W emulsions exhibited whitish appearances similar to that of commercial creamers and were effective at lightening black coffee, except those containing the lowest emulsifier concentrations i.e. , 0.25% caseinate or 0.5% lecithin. The lightness of the model emulsions depended on the type and level of emulsifier used, with soy lecithin-stabilized emulsions having similar lightening power compare to that stabilized by sodium caseinate. No feathering or free oil were observed in the whitened coffees at the highest emulsifier level used. Mixtures of caseinate and lecithin emulsifiers were also used and model O/W emulsions with similar physical properties to that stabilized by sodium caseinate alone were produced. The mixed emulsifier-stabilized model emulsions had similar lightness when added to coffee than those stabilized by the individual emulsifiers, suggesting similar stabilization mechanisms using these emulsifiers alone or in combination. Unlabelled Image • Demands for plant-based milk and creamer products have escalated recently. • Model creamers were fabricated using soy lecithin and/or sodium caseinate • These creamers had similar physical properties to conventional dairy-based creamers. • The creamers were stable to aggregation and feathering after added to hot, acidic coffee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]