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Background and Purpose: Development of a headache after aneurysm coil embolization is not uncommon but has received little attention. The authors prospectively analyze the characteristics and risk factors of a headache after coiling in patients treated for an unruptured cerebral aneurysm., Materials and Methods: Ninety patients treated for an unruptured cerebral aneurysm over a period of 1 year, and without a headache history within a month before coiling, were enrolled in this study. All coilings were successfully performed without neurologic complications. After coiling, headache development and intensities were recorded., Results: Fifty (55.6%) patients experienced a headache (VAS score, 4.5 ± 2.02) at 7.9 (range, 0-72) hours, on average, after coiling, and all headaches resolved within an average of 73.0 (range, 3-312) hours. Univariate analysis showed that the following were significantly associated with the development of a headache: age ≤ 50 years (OR 4.636, 95% CI, 1.414-15.198), hypertension (OR 0.232, 95% CI, 0.095-0.571), a packing attenuation of >25% (OR 3.619, 95% CI, 1.428-9.174), and a previous headache history (OR 2.769, 95% CI, 1.120-6.849). However, binary logistic regression showed that only a packing attenuation of >25% (P = .013, adjusted OR 3.774, 95% CI, 1.320-10.790) and no history of hypertension (P = .019, adjusted OR 3.515, 95% CI, 1.233-10.021) were independently associated with the development of a headache., Conclusions: A headache frequently developed after the coiling of unruptured aneurysms. However, headaches were relatively benign and resolved within several days. The present study shows that no hypertension history and a packing attenuation of >25% are risk factors of headache development.

Due to the increasing production and application of nanoparticles, their release into the environment would be inevitable, which requires a better understanding of their fate in the environment. When considering their toxic behavior or biodegradation as their fate, their adhesion to the cell surface must be the first step to be thoroughly studied. In this study, nano-sized polymeric particles of urethane acrylate with various hydrophobicity and ionic properties were synthesized as model nanoparticles, and their adhesion to Pseudomonas putida strains was monitored. The higher hydrophobicity and positive charge density on the particle surface exhibited the larger adhesion to the bacteria, whereas negative charge density on the particle hindered their adhesion to the bacteria, albeit high hydrophobicity of particle. These observations were successfully explained with the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The study examined the difference in the incidence of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm with magnesium supplementation in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a Korean population., Methods: This retrospective analysis was performed in 157 patients diagnosed with aneurysmal SAH from January 2007 to December 2011 at a single center. Seventy patients (44.6%) received a combination treatment of nimodipine with magnesium and 87 patients (55.4%) received only nimodipine. A matched case-control study using propensity scores was conducted and 41 subjects were selected from each group. A dosage of 64 mmol/day of magnesium was administrated., Results: The infusion of magnesium did not reduce the incidence of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (n=7, 17.1%, p=0.29) compared with simple nimodipine injection (n=11, 26.8%). The ratios of good clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale 0-2) at 6 months were similar, being 78% in the combination treatment group and 80.5% in the nimodipine only group (p=0.79). The proportions of delayed cerebral infarction was not significantly lower in patients with combination treatment (n=2, 4.9% vs. n=3, 7.3%; p=0.64). There was no difference in the serum magnesium concentrations between the patients with symptomatic vasospasm and without vasospasm who had magnesium supplementation. No major complications associated with intravenous magnesium infusion were observed., Conclusion: Magnesium supplementation (64 mmol/day) may not be beneficial for the reduction of the incidence of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal SAH.

Silk fibroin (SF) peptide has been traditionally used as a treatment for flatulence, spasms, and phlegm. In this study, we examined whether SF peptide enhanced the antiinflammatory effect of PEP-1-FK506 binding protein (PEP-1-FK506BP) through comparing the anti-inflammatory activities of SF peptide and/or PEP-1-FK506BP. In the presence or absence of SF peptide, transduction levels of PEP-1-FK506BP into HaCaT cells and mice skin and anti-inflammatory activities of PEP-1-FK506BP were identified by Western blot and histological analyses. SF peptide alone effectively reduced both mice ear edema and the elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6 and -1beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, showing similar anti-inflammatory effect to that of PEP-1-FK506BP. Furthermore, co-treatment with SF peptide and PEP-1- FK506BP exhibited more enhanced anti-inflammatory effects than the samples treated with SF peptides or PEP- 1-FK506BP alone, suggesting the possibility that SF peptide and PEP-1-FK506BP might interact with each other. Moreover, the transduction data demonstrated that SF peptide did not affect the transduction of PEP-1- FK506BP into HaCaT cells and mice skin, indicating that the improvement of anti-inflammatory effect of PEP-1- FK506BP was not caused by enhanced transduction of PEP-1-FK506BP. Thus, these results suggest the possibility that co-treatment with SF peptide and PEP-1-FK506BP may be exploited as a useful therapy for various inflammationrelated diseases.

Objective: Thromboembolus can occur during endovascular coil embolization. The aim of our study was to show our experience of intraarterial (IA) tirofiban infusion for thromboembolism during coil embolization for ruptured intracranial aneurysms., Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted in 64 patients with ruptured aneurysms who had emergent endovascular coil embolization from May 2007 to April 2011 at a single institute. Thromboembolic events were found in ten patients (15.6%). Anticoagulation treatment with intravenous heparin was started after the first coil deployment in ruptured aneurysmal sac. When a thrombus or embolus was found during the procedure, we tried to resolve them without delay with an initial dosage of 0.3 mg of tirofiban up to 1.2 mg., Results: Three patients of four with total occlusion had recanalizations of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade III and five of six with partial occlusion had TIMI grade III recanalizations. Eight patients showed good recovery, with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0 and one showed poor outcome (mRS 3 and 6). There was no hemorrhagic or hematologic complication., Conclusion: IA tirofiban can be feasible when thromboembolic clots are found during coil embolization in order to get prompt recanalization, even in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Bacterial initial adhesion to inert surfaces in aquatic environments is mainly governed by the surface properties of the substratum, which can be altered significantly by the formation of conditioning films. Bacteria were tested for ability to adhere to bare glass slides and to slides coated with alginate, bovine serum albumin (BSA), or Suwannee River natural organic matter (SR-NOM). Three Burkholderia cepacia strains with different extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) secretion capacities were tested. The surface roughness of the slides was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM), but its effect on bacterial initial adhesion was not significant. Our results showed the degree (number of cells per cm(2)) of initial adhesion among the three strains of B. cepacia was not significantly different, indicating that B. cepacia surface EPS did not impact adhesive capacity in the conditions tested. Depending on the conditioning film types and ionic strength conditions, conditioning film coatings can either enhance or reduce bacterial initial adhesion. Bacterial adhesion to bare slides and to alginate or SR-NOM coated slides increased with increasing ionic strength; however, a similar trend was not observed on BSA coated slides. Although BSA coated slides were the most hydrophobic and had the lowest negative surface charge among the surfaces tested, bacterial adhesion was not enhanced by the BSA coating. The extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory was applied to explain bacterial adhesion to solid surfaces., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the cause of potentially fatal amebic colitis and liver abscesses. E. histolytica trophozoites colonize the colon, where they induce inflammation, penetrate the mucosa, and disrupt the host immune system. The early establishment of E. histolytica in the colon occurs in the presence of antimicrobial human (LL-37) and murine (CRAMP [cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide]) cathelicidins, essential components of the mammalian innate defense system in the intestine. Studying this early step in the pathogenesis of amebic colitis, we demonstrate that E. histolytica trophozoites or their released proteinases, including cysteine proteinase 1 (EhCP1), induce intestinal cathelicidins in human intestinal epithelial cell lines and in a mouse model of amebic colitis. Despite induction, E. histolytica trophozoites were found to be resistant to killing by these antimicrobial peptides, and LL-37 and CRAMP were rapidly cleaved by released amebic cysteine proteases. The cathelicidin fragments however, did maintain their antimicrobial activity against bacteria. Degradation of intestinal cathelicidins is a novel function of E. histolytica cysteine proteinases in the evasion of the innate immune system in the bowel. Thus, early intestinal epithelial colonization of invasive trophozoites involves a complex interplay in which the ultimate outcome of infection depends in part on the balance between degradation of cathelicidins by amebic released cysteine proteinases and upregulation of proinflammatory mediators which trigger the inflammatory response.

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) significantly influence bacterial adhesion to solid surfaces, but it is difficult to elucidate the role of EPS on bacterial adhesion due to their complexity and variability. In the present study, the effect of EPS on the initial adhesion of B. cepaciaepacia PC184 and P. aeruginosa PAO1 on glass slides with and without an EPS precoating was investigated under three ionic strength conditions. The surface roughness of EPS coated slides was evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and its effect on initial bacterial adhesion was found to be trivial. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies were performed to determine the elemental surface compositions of bacterial cells and substrata. The results showed that an EPS precoating hindered bacterial adhesion on solid surfaces, which was largely attributed to the presence of proteins in the EPS. This observation can be attributed to the increased steric repulsion at high ionic strength conditions. A steric model for polymer brushes that considers the combined influence of steric effects and DLVO interaction forces is shown to adequately describe bacterial adhesion behaviors.

We investigated whether silk fibroin peptide derived from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, could inhibit inflammation and enhance the anti-inflammatory activity of Tat-superoxide dismutase (Tat-SOD), which was previously reported to effectively penetrate various cells and tissues and exert anti-oxidative activity in a mouse model of inflammation. Inflammation was induced by topical treatment of mouse ears with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Histological, Western blot, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction data demonstrated that silk fibroin peptide or Tat-SOD alone could suppress elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6, interleukin-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced by TPA. Moreover, silk fibroin peptide significantly enhanced the anti-inflammatory activity of Tat-SOD, although it had no influence on in vitro and in vivo transduction of Tat-SOD. Silk fibroin peptide exhibited anti- inflammatory activity in a mice model of inflammation. Therefore, silk fibroin peptide alone or in combination with Tat-SOD might be used as a therapeutic agent for various inflammatory diseases.

Because of its high spatial resolution, scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) has been developed quite actively and applied in such diverse areas as microelectronics, optoelectronics, polymers, and carbon nanotubes for more than a decade since the 1990s. However, despite its long history and diverse areas of application, surprisingly, no quantitative profiling method has been established yet. This is mostly due to the nonlocal nature of measurement by conventional SThM: the signal measured by SThM is induced not only from the local heat flux through the tip-sample thermal contact but also (and mostly) from the heat flux through the air gap between the sample and the SThM probe. In this study, a rigorous but simple and practical theory for quantitative SThM for local measurement is established and verified experimentally using high-performance SThM probes. The development of quantitative SThM will make possible new breakthroughs in diverse fields of nanothermal science and engineering., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

Background and Purpose: Stents are known to have hemodynamic and biologic effects in addition to their mechanical scaffold effect. To determine whether stents affect long-term outcomes after coiling of unruptured aneurysms, we compared angiographic outcomes at 2 years postembolization for stent- and nonstent-assisted coiled unruptured aneurysms., Materials and Methods: Stent-assisted coiling was used in unruptured aneurysms unfavorable for simple coiling (neck size >4 mm and dome-to-neck ratio <1.5) in our practice. Therefore, 126 coiled unruptured aneurysms in total (40 [31.7%] stent group and 86 [68.3%] nonstent group) with these conditions were selected for this study. The nonstent group aneurysms were treated with multiple microcatheter technique (53 cases) or balloon-assisted technique (33 cases). Self-expandable stents were used for coiling in stent group aneurysms. No significant difference in aneurysmal characteristics (aneurysm type [sidewall/bifurcation], diameter, neck size, and dome-to-neck ratio) or angiographic outcome at embolization (packing attenuation, obliteration grade, and contrast filling) were observed between the 2 study groups., Results: At 2-year follow-up visits, rates of progressive occlusion (stent group, 17/40 [42.5%] versus nonstent group, 34/86 [39.5%]) and recanalization (7/40 [17.5%] versus 18/86 [21.0%]) did not show a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P = .895)., Conclusions: The present study did not show that additional hemodynamic and biologic effects of stents designed for neck remodeling were enough to enhance progressive occlusion and prevent the recanalization of unruptured aneurysms. Our finding suggests that stent placement provides no better long-term angiographic outcomes for unruptured aneurysms with an unfavorable configuration for coiling.

Objectives: The paper describes the case of a physical therapist with acute Low Back Pain (LBP) due to patient handling and the efficacy of Kinesio Taping (KT) around the trunk in the treatment of this occupational LBP., Materials and Methods: KT was applied around the trunk for 3 days, for an average of 10 h/day. Kinesio tape was applied with 130-140% stretch to the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, erector spinae, and latissimus dorsi muscles, which are activated in the process of lifting., Results: Following the KT application, the 'Visual Analog Scale' and 'Oswestry Disability Questionnaire scores' gradually decreased and active trunk range of motion limited by the LBP increased progressively. The physical therapist no longer complained of LBP and was able to handle patients without any pain., Conclusions: Hence, continuous application of KT around the trunk may be a supplementary treatment method for acute LBP in physical therapists and enable continuous patient handling without any loss of work time due to occupational LBP. In addition, KT may also be applicable for the prevention and treatment of occupational LBP in other professions involving lifting heavy objects.

GC 5' splice sites (5'ss) are present in ∼1% of human introns, but factors promoting their efficient selection are poorly understood. Here, we describe a case of X-linked agammaglobulinemia resulting from a GC 5'ss activated by a mutation in BTK intron 3. This GC 5'ss was intrinsically weak, yet it was selected in >90% primary transcripts in the presence of a strong and intact natural GT counterpart. We show that efficient selection of this GC 5'ss required a high density of GAA/CAA-containing splicing enhancers in the exonized segment and was promoted by SR proteins 9G8, Tra2β and SC35. The GC 5'ss was efficiently inhibited by splice-switching oligonucleotides targeting either the GC 5'ss itself or the enhancer. Comprehensive analysis of natural GC-AG introns and previously reported pathogenic GC 5'ss showed that their efficient activation was facilitated by higher densities of splicing enhancers and lower densities of silencers than their GT 5'ss equivalents. Removal of the GC-AG introns was promoted to a minor extent by the splice-site strength of adjacent exons and inhibited by flanking Alu repeats, with the first downstream Alus located on average at a longer distance from the GC 5'ss than other transposable elements. These results provide new insights into the splicing code that governs selection of noncanonical splice sites.

Objectives: Our purpose was to evaluate interaction of green tea consumption and abdominal obesity as related factors for lacunar infarction in Korean women., Design: A hospital-based, incident case-control study., Settings: The Prevention and Managements of Stroke in Women study., Participants: Cases (n=233) of first incident lacunar infarction were enrolled and matched by age to stroke-free hospital controls (n=204)., Measurements: The data were collected through face-to-face interviews by well trained research assistants to assess demographic, medical, lifestyle, marital status, religions status, green tea consumptions, family history of stroke, smoking status, alcohol consumption, meat and vegetable intake frequency, and past history of hypertension. Biochemical analysis, fasting blood specimens for lipid, glucose, and cholesterol level were acquired., Results: Compared with the non green tea consumer and obese women group, only the green tea consumption and non obese women group had a protective effect of lacunar infarction when adjusted for age, and age plus diet factors (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09, 0.59; OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.08, 0.56 respectively), but lost their significance after adjustment for age, diet factors, vascular risk factors and full model included atherogenic index factors (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.09 to 1.01; OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.12, 1.89 respectively)., Conclusions: The interaction of green tea consumption and non obesity have reduced risk of lacunar infarction, but not after adjustment for age, diet factors, vascular risk factors and atherogenic index. Also individually green tea consumption and abdominal obesity have failed to find an independent relationship with lacunar infarction after adjustment by all risk factors. Green tea consumption and green tea consumption with non obese group seemed to have a protective effect for lacunar infarction. In the results of our study, these results still remain controversial, and then we need further and larger study to get at the root of real causal effect of both relationships.

Background and Purpose: The optimal management of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms remains controversial in elderly populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate technical results and clinical outcomes in a single center of consecutive elderly patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with endovascular embolization., Materials and Methods: Between May 2003 and February 2010, 96 patients older than 70 years (men, 16 patients; women, 80 patients; mean age, 73 years) with 122 saccular unruptured intracranial aneurysms were treated in our hospital with an endovascular approach. The endovascular procedures and technique, angiographic follow-up, and complications were evaluated., Results: Successful embolizations without complications were completed in 95.9%. Five patients had procedure-related events, including thromboembolism in 1 patient, aneurysm perforation during the procedure in 1, and 3 postoperative transient minor symptoms (headache, otalgia, and trigeminal pain) in 3. The degree of occlusion of the treated aneurysm was complete in 46.7%; there was a small neck remnant in 40.9% and residual filling in 12.2%. Imaging (MR angiography) follow-up was performed in 68.7% of the patients. The mean follow-up duration was 19.4 months (range, 5-57 months). Fifty-five patients (93.9%) showed no interval change of the residual neck. Four (6%) demonstrated recanalizations, all of which were successfully recoiled., Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients older than 70 years of age appears to be safe. Favorable outcomes with low morbidities may replace surgery or conservative treatment as an active management alternative.

Background: Postoperative seizure, well-known in association with other pathologies, has been rarely discussed in adult moyamoya disease., Objective: We evaluated postoperative seizures in adult patients with moyamoya undergoing revascularization surgery., Methods: From 2001 to 2007, 43 adult patients with moyamoya disease underwent 53 revascularization surgeries, consisting of direct bypass with or without indirect bypass. Incidence and profile of postoperative seizures were investigated, with evaluation of influencing factors. Multivariable analysis using a generalized estimation equation was performed to determine which factors were related to postoperative seizure., Results: Seizures developed in 10 sides (18.9%) after revascularization for moyamoya disease, including immediate (<24 hours, n = 0), early (1-7 days, n = 5), late (8-30 days, n = 0), and delayed seizures (≥1 month, n = 7). Early and subsequent delayed seizures developed in the same lesions in 2 patients. Seizures developed only in the patients with combined direct and indirect revascularization. Postoperative temporary neurological deficits with imaging abnormalities were significantly related to postoperative nondelayed seizures (P = .02). Delayed seizures were significantly different according to the location of the recipient artery (P = .03), especially with the frontal branches. By multivariable analysis, revascularization using frontal branches trended toward increased incidence of delayed postoperative seizure, with adjusted odds ratio of 13.78 (95% confidence interval, 1.7-114.1)., Conclusion: In adult patients with moyamoya disease, the incidence of delayed postoperative seizure seems to be higher than that of other pathologies. The delayed, pronounced formation of synangiosis in moyamoya disease may be related to the development of such delayed postoperative seizures, especially when the location of the recipient artery is frontal.

This study proposes a tuning fork probe based nanomanipulation robotic system for mechanical characterization of ultraflexible nanostructures under scanning electron microscope. The force gradient is measured via the frequency modulation of a quartz tuning fork and two nanomanipulators are used for manipulation of the nanostructures. Two techniques are proposed for attaching the nanostructure to the tip of the tuning fork probe. The first technique involves gluing the nanostructure for full range characterization whereas the second technique uses van der Waals and electrostatic forces in order to avoid destroying the nanostructure. Helical nanobelts (HNB) are proposed for the demonstration of the setup. The nonlinear stiffness behavior of HNBs during their full range tensile studies is clearly revealed for the first time. Using the first technique, this was between 0.009 N/m for rest position and 0.297 N/m before breaking of the HNB with a resolution of 0.0031 N/m. For the second experiment, this was between 0.014 N/m for rest position and 0.378 N/m before detaching of the HNB with a resolution of 0.0006 N/m. This shows the wide range sensing of the system for potential applications in mechanical property characterization of ultraflexible nanostructures.

Background: Surgical reperfusion may be beneficial in patients with acute ischemic stroke who are ineligible for thrombolysis., Objective: To evaluate the outcome of superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass in acute stroke and stroke in progress., Methods: The clinical and radiological data of 9 patients treated by STA-MCA bypass requiring urgent reperfusion but ineligible for intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) were reviewed. Pooled analysis was performed of published literature concerning STA-MCA bypass in acute stroke (21 cases in 2 articles)., Results: Of the 9 patients enrolled, symptom aggravation occurred during medical treatment in 4 patients and after IAT in 2. Three patients were ineligible for IAT despite being within 8 hours of symptom onset. Bypass significantly improved National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (preoperatively, 12.4±4.88; 3 days postoperatively, 8.6±6.39, P=.046; discharge, 5.4±5.15, P=.008; 3 mo postoperatively 3.7±4.82, P=.008) without significant infarction growth by diffusion weighted imaging (preoperatively, 15.0±8.87 mL; 7 days postoperatively, 15.2±8.28 mL; P=.110). Abnormal perfusion regions (mean transit time>145% of contralateral side value) were reduced in all cases (2.63±0.93 mL). Good outcomes (modified Rankin scale≤2) were achieved by 6 patients. Pooled analysis with our patients showed a significant neurological improvement (P<.001) and a good outcome in 25 (83.3%) patients without hemorrhage or complication., Conclusion: STA-MCA bypass may be beneficial to patients with acute stroke or stroke in progress who are ineligible for IAT. Furthermore, it appears safe when the infarction is small. These findings indicate that STA-MCA bypass could be considered as a treatment option in selected patients with acute stroke or stroke in progress.

DBASS3 and DBASS5 provide comprehensive repositories of new exon boundaries that were induced by pathogenic mutations in human disease genes. Aberrant 5'- and 3'-splice sites were activated either by mutations in the consensus sequences of natural exon-intron junctions (cryptic sites) or elsewhere ('de novo' sites). DBASS3 and DBASS5 currently contain approximately 900 records of cryptic and de novo 3'- and 5'-splice sites that were produced by over a thousand different mutations in approximately 360 genes. DBASS3 and DBASS5 data can be searched by disease phenotype, gene, mutation, location of aberrant splice sites in introns and exons and their distance from authentic counterparts, by bibliographic references and by the splice-site strength estimated with several prediction algorithms. The user can also retrieve reference sequences of both aberrant and authentic splice sites with the underlying mutation. These data will facilitate identification of introns or exons frequently involved in aberrant splicing, mutation analysis of human disease genes and study of germline or somatic mutations that impair RNA processing. Finally, this resource will be useful for fine-tuning splice-site prediction algorithms, better definition of auxiliary splicing signals and design of new reporter assays. DBASS3 and DBASS5 are freely available at http://www.dbass.org.uk/.

Background and Purpose: The fate of contrast stasis within an aneurysmal sac after coiling has not been established. We followed and evaluated the potential risks of recanalization of unruptured aneurysms embolized with BPCs for 2 years., Materials and Methods: A total of 301 unruptured aneurysms in 252 patients were treated with BPCs. Contrast stasis was observed on initial postembolization angiograms in 104 (34.6%) of these aneurysms. For follow-up, skull images by an angiographic unit (at 3, 9, 15, and 21 months), CE-MRA including TOF source images (at 6, 12, and 18 months), and DSA (at 24 months) were used., Results: In 89 (85.6%) of the 104 aneurysms with contrast stasis, the stasis disappeared on 6-month MRAs and occlusions remained unchanged without recanalization for 2 years. In the remaining 15 (14.4%), recanalization occurred during follow-up. The presence of contrast stasis was not found to be associated with the obliteration rate (P = .641) or packing attenuation (aneurysms without contrast stasis 30.7% ± 11.18 versus aneurysms with contrast stasis 33.0% ± 12.11, P = .113). Contrast stasis was not found to be a risk factor for recanalization (15/104 [14.4%] versus 29/197 [14.7%], P = 1.000)., Conclusions: Contrast stasis is a benign angiographic finding that can disappear within 6 months on follow-up MRA. In addition, contrast stasis was not found to be associated with a low obliteration rate or packing attenuation or to be a risk factor for recanalization. The present study shows that aneurysms with contrast stasis on initial postembolization angiograms are no more likely to recanalize than aneurysms without contrast stasis.

Previously, we introduced the double scan technique, which enables quantitative temperature profiling with a scanning thermal microscope (SThM) without distortion arising from heat transfer through the air. However, if the tip-sample thermal conductance is disturbed due to the extremely small size of the sample, such as carbon nanotubes, or an abrupt change in the topography, then quantitative measurement becomes difficult even with the double scan technique. Here, we developed the null-point method by which one can quantitatively measure the temperature of a sample without disturbances arising from the tip-sample thermal conductance, based on the principle of the double scan technique. We first checked the effectiveness and accuracy of the null-point method using 5 μm and 400 nm wide aluminum lines. Then, we quantitatively measured the temperature of electrically heated multiwall carbon nanotubes using the null-point method. Since the null-point method has an extremely high spatial resolution of SThM and is free from disturbance due to the tip-sample thermal contact resistance, and distortion due to heat transfer through the air, the method is expected to be widely applicable for the thermal characterization of many nanomaterials and nanodevices.

Objective: We retrospectively evaluated whether antiplatelet preparation lowered the thromboembolic complication rate during the perioperative period., Methods: We reviewed 328 elective coil embolization procedures in which only microcatheters were used for coiling. No antiplatelet medication was prescribed before the procedure in 95 cases (29%, group 1), whereas antiplatelet therapy was used in 233 cases (71%, group 2; 61 [18.6%] with a single agent [aspirin or clopidogrel] and 172 [52.4%] with both agents). Antiplatelet agents were not given after coiling unless atherosclerosis, severe coil protrusion, or a thromboembolic complication occurred during the procedure. A thromboembolic complication was defined as a procedural thromboembolic event or transient ischemic attack or stroke occurring within 2 days of embolization., Results: Thromboembolic complications occurred in 11 cases (3.4%): 6 (6.3%) in group 1 and 5 (2.1%) in group 2 (P = .085). In 195 cases (59.5%) treated by the single microcatheter technique, the risk of thromboembolic complications was low and not affected by antiplatelet preparation (1.8% [no preparation] vs 2.2% [preparation]; P = 1.000). However, in 133 cases (40.5%) treated by the multiple microcatheter technique, antiplatelet preparation significantly reduced the thromboembolic complication risk by 85.2% (12.8% [no preparation] vs 2.1% [preparation]; odds ratio, 0.148; 95% confidence interval, 0.027-0.798; P = .023). The aneurysms treated by the multiple microcatheter technique had more complex configurations for coiling (P < .001). The risk of hemorrhage was not increased by antiplatelet preparation (P = .171)., Conclusion: Antiplatelet preparation lowered the periprocedural thromboembolic complication rate in unruptured aneurysms treated by the multiple microcatheter technique and did not increase the risk of hemorrhage. Therefore, antiplatelet preparation can help to reduce complications in patients in whom technical difficulties are expected without the risk of hemorrhage.

Purpose: The goals of this study were to identify predictors of delayed cerebral infarction in aneurysmal SAH after intra-arterial (IA) vasodilator infusion and to select proper parameters for treatment success., Methods: Forty-three patients qualified for review. Cerebral infarction was determined by DWI within 1 week of angiographic vasospasm., Results: Infarction developed in 18 of the 43 patients (41.9%) after IA vasodilator infusion and was associated with a high degree of proximal vessel residual narrowing and angiographic cerebral circulation time (CCT) prolongation at the end of IA vasodilator infusion (p < 0.001). A high degree of proximal residual narrowing (p = 0.018; odds ratio = 1.071; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.012-1.123) and CCT prolongation at the end of the procedure (p = 0.007; odds ratio = 2.203; 95% CI 1.254-4.232) were found to be predictors of infarction by multivariate analysis. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that both variables predicted the development of infarction (proximal vessel residual narrowing, area under the ROC curve [AUC], 0.828; CCT, AUC, 0.866). When proximal vessel narrowing of >30% or a CCT of >7 s by final angiography during IA vasodilator infusion were used as a threshold, the negative predictive value for infarction was 88.9% (95% CI 65.3-98.6%), and when narrowing was >30% and CCT was >7 s, the probability of subsequent cerebral infarction was 100% (95% CI 71.7-100%)., Conclusions: Angiographic CCT and residual narrowing at the end of IA vasodilator infusion were found to predict the subsequent occurrence of cerebral infarction. The authors suggest that residual narrowing of 30% and a CCT of 7 s could be used as a minimum indicator of IA vasodilator infusion endpoints.

The extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory was applied to explain the hydrophobic interaction-mediated adhesion of Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9816-4 to soil. Soil particles are heterogeneous, and it is difficult to define consistent physico-chemical properties such as a contact angle and zeta potential. Hence, a silica gel and a silanized (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-coated) silica gel, which showed greater hydrophobicity than the unmodified silica gel, were used as model soils. Gibbs energies for the cell adhesion to the silica gels were calculated with the physico-chemical properties of the microbes and the silica gels and then plotted as a function of the separation distance. The extended DLVO theory successfully explained that the adhesion of P. putida NCIB 9816-4 to the silica gel, a model soil, was primarily caused by hydrophobic interaction., (2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) causes severe visual loss in affected eye and vision does not recover in more than 90% of the patients. It is believed that it occurs by occlusion of the central retinal artery with small emboli from atherosclerotic plaque of internal cerebral artery. Retina is a part of the brain, thus basically CRAO is corresponding to acute occlusion of intracerebral artery and retinal ischemia is to cerebral stroke. Therefore, intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) has been considered as a treatment method in CRAO. Recently, we treated 2 patients diagnosed as CRAO and could achieve complete recanalization on fundus fluorescein angiogram with IAT. Of them, one recovered visual acuity to 20/25. We report our 2 CRAO cases treated with IAT and discuss technical aspects for IAT and management of patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Korean report of IAT for CRAO.

The need for a subsurface imaging technique to locate and characterize subsurface defects in multidimensional micro- and nanoengineered devices has been growing rapidly. We show that a subsurface heater can be located accurately using the phase lag of a thermal wave. We deduce that the absolute phase lag is composed of four components. Among the four components, we isolate the component directly related to the position and the structure of the periodic heat source. We demonstrate that the position of the heater can be estimated accurately from the isolated phase lag component.

Objective: The authors evaluated the accuracies and ease of use of several commonly used microanastomosis training models (synthetic tube, chicken wing, and living rat model)., Methods: A survey was conducted among neurosurgeons and neurosurgery residents at a workshop held in 2009 at the authors' institute. Questions addressed model accuracy (similarity to real vessels and actual procedures) and practicality (availability of materials and ease of application in daily practice). Answers to each question were rated using a 5-point scale. Participants were also asked what types of training methods they would chose to improve their skills and to introduce the topic to other neurosurgeons or neurosurgery residents., Results: Of the 24 participants, 20 (83.3%) responded to the survey. The living rat model was favored for model accuracy (p < 0.001; synthetic tube -0.95 +/- 0.686, chicken wing, 0.15 +/- 0.587, and rat, 1.75 +/- 0.444) and the chicken wing model for practicality (p < 0.001; synthetic tube -1.55 +/- 0.605, chicken wing, 1.80 +/- 0.523, and rat, 1.30 +/- 0.923). All (100%) chose the living rat model for improving their skills, and for introducing the subject to other neurosurgeons or neurosurgery residents, the chicken wing and living rat models were selected by 18 (90%) and 20 (100%), respectively., Conclusion: Of 3 methods examined, the chicken wing model was found to be the most practical, but the living rat model was found to represent reality the best. We recommend the chicken wing model to train surgeons who have mastered basic techniques, and the living rat model for experienced surgeons to maintain skill levels.

Several lines of GH-overexpressing fish have been produced and characterized concerning organ integrity, growth, fertility and health but few and contradictory data are available on IGF-I that mediates most effects of GH. Furthermore, nothing is known on IGF-II. Thus, the expression of both IGFs in liver and various extrahepatic sites of adult transgenic (GH-overexpressing) tilapia and age-matched wild-type fish was determined by real-time PCR. Both IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA were found in all organs investigated and were increased in gills, kidney, intestine, heart, testes, skeletal muscle and brain of the transgenics (IGF-I: 1.4-4-fold; IGF-II: 1.7-4.2-fold). Except for liver, brain and testis the increase in IGF-I mRNA was higher than that in IGF-II mRNA. In pituitary, no significant change in IGF-I or IGF-II mRNA was detected. In spleen, however, IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA were both decreased in the transgenics, IGF-I mRNA even by the 19-fold. In agreement, in situ hybridisation revealed a largely reduced number of IGF-I mRNA-containing leukocytes and macrophages when compared to wild-type. These observations may contribute to better understanding the reported impaired health of GH-transgenic fish. Growth enhancement of the transgenics may be due to the increased expression of both IGF-I and IGF-II in extrahepatic sites. It is also reasonable that the markedly enhanced expression of liver IGF-II mRNA that may mimick an early developmental stage is a further reason for increased growth.

A heavy metal contaminated soil sample collected from a mine in Chonnam Province of South Korea was found to be a source of heavy metal adsorbing biosorbents. Chemical analyses showed high contents of lead (Pb) at 357 mg/kg and cyanide (CN) at 14.6 mg/kg in the soil. The experimental results showed that Penicillium sp. MRF-1 was the best lead resistant fungus among the four individual metal tolerant fungal species isolated from the soil. Molecular characterization of Penicillium sp. MRF-1 was determined using ITS regions sequences. Effects of pH, temperature and contact time on adsorption of Pb(II) by Penicillium sp. MRF-1 were studied. Favorable conditions for maximum biosportion were found at pH 4 with 3 hr contact time. Biosorption of Pb(II) gradually increased with increasing temperature. Efficient performance of the biosorbent was described using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Adsorption kinetics was studied using pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order models. Biosorbent Penicillium sp. MRF-1 showed the maximum desorption in alkali conditions. Consistent adsorption/desorption potential of the biosorbent in repetitive cycles validated the efficacy of it in large scale. SEM studies given notes on surface modification of fungal biomass under metal stress and FT-IR results showed the presence of amino groups in the surface structure of the biosorbent. In conclusion, the new biosorbent Penicillium sp. MRF-1 may potentially be used as an inexpensive, easily cultivatable material for the removal of lead from aqueous solution.

In an earlier study, Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9816-4, which was one of the most studied naphthalene-degrading bacteria, showed the preferred adhesion to the naphthalene-contaminated soil when it was in the exponential growth phase. The adhesion was found to take place through a hydrophobic interaction. We postulated that the surface hydrophobicity of P. putida NCIB 9816-4 in the exponential growth phase might be increased during the uptake of naphthalene, which caused the preferred adhesion to the naphthalene-contaminated soil. To verify this postulate, a plasmid-cured strain of P. putida NCIB 9816-4 was obtained in this study and compared with the wild-type for adhesion to the naphthalene-contaminated soil. Only the wild-type in the exponential growth phase showed increased adhesion to naphthalene-contaminated soil. The water contact angles of the two strains were measured in the presence and in the absence of naphthalene as indices of surface hydrophobicity. The water contact angle of the wild-type increased in the presence of naphthalene, whereas that of the cured strain did not change. We conclude that the uptake of naphthalene during naphthalene biodegradation in the exponential growth phase of P. putida NCIB 9816-4 made the cell surface more hydrophobic, resulting in increased adhesion to naphthalene-contaminated soil.

Imposex (superimposition of male genital organs on female phenotype) of the rock shell or whelk, Thais clavigera, shows typical evidence of endocrine disruption by organotin compounds within inter-tidal zones polluted by such compounds. It will be informative to see how low fertility caused by imposex of this species finally affects the genetic diversity of polluted populations. For future use in population genetic research of the rock shell, we report the isolation and characteristics of 11 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers with a mean of 11.7 alleles per locus. We observed heterozygosities of these sequences ranging from 0.43 to 0.95. These markers will be useful for future ecological genetic studies of rock shell., (© 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

This paper presents the fabrication, assembly, and characterization of piezoresistive nanosprings for creating nanoelectromechanical systems. The fabrication process is based on conventional microfabrication techniques to create a planar pattern in a 27nm thick, n-type InGaAs/GaAs bilayer that self-forms into three-dimensional structures during a wet etch release. As the nanosprings have lower doped thin and flexible layers, small metal pads have been attached to both sides for achieving stable ohmic contact with electrodes. Nanorobotic manipulation is applied to assemble the nanosprings between electrodes using electron-beam-induced deposition inside a scanning electron microscope, and the bridged nanosprings were then characterized for electromechanical properties. With their strong piezoresistive response, low stiffness, large-displacement capability, and excellent fatigue resistance, they are well-suited to function as sensing elements in high-resolution, large-range electromechanical sensors.

Although the accumulation of 8-oxo-dGTP in DNA is associated with apoptotic cell death and mutagenesis, little is known about the exact mechanism of hMTH1-mediated suppression of oxidative-stress-induced cell death. Therefore, we investigated the regulation of DNA-damage-related apoptosis induced by oxidative stress using control and hMTH1 knockdown cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to suppress hMTH1 expression in p53-proficient GM00637 and H460 cells, resulting in a significant increase in apoptotic cell death after H(2)O(2) exposure; however, p53-null, hMTH1-deficient H1299 cells did not exhibit H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis. In addition, hMTH1-deficient GM00637 and H460 cells showed increased caspase-3/7 activity, cleaved caspase-8, and Noxa expression, and gamma-H2AX formation in response to H(2)O(2). In contrast, the caspase inhibitors, p53-siRNA, and Noxa-siRNA suppressed H(2)O(2)-induced cell death. Moreover, in 8-week (long-term) cultured H460 and H1299 cells, hMTH1 suppression increased cell death, Noxa expression, and gamma-H2AX after H(2)O(2) exposure, compared to 3-week (short-term) cultured cells. These data indicate that hMTH1 plays an important role in protecting cells against H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis via a Noxa- and caspase-3/7-mediated signaling pathway, thus conferring a survival advantage through the inhibition of oxidative-stress-induced DNA damage.

Biofiltration shows high efficiency for the removal of industrial waste gases and reliable operational stability at low investment and operating cost, especially when the VOC concentration is low, such as 100 ppmv (micro LL(-1)) or less. However, it has been reported that the abrupt change in VOC concentrations leads to the failure of the biofilter. Hence, the pretreatment of waste gases is necessary to ensure the stable operation of the biofilter. The objective of this study is to develop a jet loop reactor (JLR) with circulation of a surfactant solution to lower the concentration of VOCs, especially hydrophobic VOCs. Toluene and Tween 81 were used as a model industrial waste gas and a surfactant, respectively. Among several non-ionic surfactants tested, Tween 81 showed the most rapid dissolution of toluene. When a JLR is replaced with fresh Tween 81 solution (0.3% w/v) every hour, it successfully absorbed for 48 h over 90% of the toluene in an inlet gas containing toluene at 1000 ppmv (microL L(-1)) or less. Therefore, JLR with circulation of a surfactant solution is believed to ensure the stable operation of the biofilter even with the unexpected increase in the VOC concentrations.

The effect of a soil contaminant on the initial adhesion to the soil of a contaminant-degrading soil microorganism in the exponential phase was investigated using naphthalene as the soil contaminant and Pseudomonas putida strain NCIB 9816-4 as the naphthalene-degrading bacteria. P. putida strain DK-1, which is not capable of degrading naphthalene, was used as a control. P. putida NCIB 9816-4 in the exponential phase showed the more adhesion to the soil than that in the stationary phase. In contrast, P. putida DK-1 showed the increased adhesion to the soil when it was in the stationary phase. P. putida NCIB 9816-4 in the exponential phase showed the preferred adhesion to the naphthalene-contaminated soil, whereas the adhesion of P. putida DK-1 was not affected by naphthalene. From the data of surface hydrophobicities of the cells and the soil, the microbial adhesion, especially the initial adhesion to the naphthalene-contaminated soil, takes place through the hydrophobic interaction. We suspect that the surface hydrophobicity of P. putida NCIB 9816-4 in the exponential phase might be increased during the uptake of naphthalene, which caused the preferred adhesion to the naphthalene-contaminated soil.

Steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR)-related lipid transfer (START) domain 6 (StarD6) is known to be exclusively expressed in germ cells of testis. As little is known about StarD6 expression in the nervous system, we investigated the distribution of StarD6 in rat neural tissues. Immunoreactivity of StarD6 was detected in the brain, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia; particularly cerebral cortex (layer V and VI), hippocampus, substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord. We provided compelling evidence that multiple neuronal and glial populations were immunolabelled with anti-StarD6 antibody throughout the nervous system. We postulate that StarD6 might play an important role in lipid sensing of the nervous system based on its immunolocalization in this study.

Several lines of growth hormone (GH)-overexpressing fish have been produced and analysed for growth and fertility parameters. However, only few data are available on the growth-promoting hormone insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) that mediates most effects of GH, and these are contradictory. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, radioimmunoassay, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and radiochromatography we investigated IGF-I and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in an adult (17 months old) transgenic (GH-overexpressing) tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The transgenics showed an around 1.5-fold increase in length and an approximately 2.3-fold higher weight than the non-transgenics. Using radioimmunoassay, the serum IGF-I levels were lower (6.22 +/- 0.75 ng/ml) in transgenic than in wild-type (15.01 +/- 1.49 ng/ml) individuals (P = 0.0012). Radioimmunoassayable IGF-I in transgenic liver was 4.2-times higher than in wild-type (16.0 +/- 2.21 vs. 3.83 +/- 0.71 ng/g, P = 0.0017). No hepatocytes in wild-type but numerous hepatocytes in transgenic liver contained IGF-I-immunoreactivity. RT-PCR revealed a 1.4-times higher IGF-I mRNA expression in the liver of the transgenics (10.51 +/- 0.82 vs. 7.3 +/- 0.49 pg/microg total RNA, P = 0.0032). In correspondence, in situ hybridization showed more IGF-I mRNA containing hepatocytes in the transgenics. A twofold elevated IGF-I mRNA expression was determined in the skeletal muscle of transgenics (0.33 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.16 +/- 0.01 pg/microg total RNA, P < 0.0001). Both liver and serum of transgenics showed increased IGF-I binding. The increased IGFBP content in the liver may lead to retention of IGF-I, and/or the release of IGF-I into the circulation may be slower resulting in accumulation of IGF-I in the hepatocytes. Our results indicate that the enhanced growth of the transgenics likely is due to enhanced autocrine/paracrine action of IGF-I in extrahepatic sites, as shown here for skeletal muscle.

Studies of memory retrieval have identified electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates of a test item's old-new status, reaction time, and memory load. In the current study, we used a multivariate analysis to disentangle the effects of these correlated variables. During retrieval, power of left-parietal theta (4-8 Hz) oscillations increased in proportion to how well a test item was remembered, and theta in central regions correlated with decision making. We also studied how these oscillatory dynamics complemented event-related potentials. These findings are the first to demonstrate that distinct patterns of theta oscillations can simultaneously relate to different aspects of behavior.

Introduction: In patients with bipolar disorder, relapse and recurrence from the premature discontinuation of pharmacotherapy are serious clinical problems. Thus, clinicians must make every effort to ensure the sufficient duration of continual treatment even after the remission of acute episodes. Here, we examine whether there is any association between benzodiazepine (BZD) use and the duration of follow-up treatment in patients with bipolar disorder., Methods: The medical records of 70 bipolar patients hospitalized in a university hospital psychiatry ward were reviewed. Selected demographic and clinical variables, such as extent of BZD use and the total duration of outpatient follow-up treatment, were compared., Results: The duration of maintenance treatment at the outpatient department differed significantly between patients who were or were not given BZDs during admission (571 vs. 179 days) and after discharge (836 vs. 154 days). The variables that differed significantly between patients who received follow-up treatment for 6 or more months and those who did not was the number of days of BZD administration during admission (11 vs. 5 days) and after discharge (280 vs. 7 days), and years of education (11 vs. 13 years)., Conclusion: In the present study, BZDs are suggested as a possible adjunctive therapy for extending follow-up and thus preventing recurrence in patients with bipolar disorder.

The aim of this study is to elucidate the anatomical and functional relationship between dermocartilagenous ligament and depressor septi nasi muscle. The noses of four Korean adult cadavers were studied and total of 123 patients (96 women, 27 men) were operated. The Depressor septi nasi muscle inserted to the base and lateral surface of the medial crus of lower alar cartilage. Dermocartilagenous ligament extended posteriorly and met depressor septi nasi muscle. It was pulled downward by the depressor septi nasi muscle. In all 123 cases the nasal tips were elevated after the dermocartilagenous ligaments were severed. Nasolabial angles increased from 5 - 15 degrees and the noses were shortened. Our morphological study and clinical experience suggest strongly the dermocatilagenous ligament was pulled downward by the depressor septi nasal muscle. We believe the dermocatilagenous ligament acts as a depressor.

Background: Distinct cognitive processes support verbal and nonverbal working memory, with verbal memory depending specifically on the subvocal rehearsal of items., Methods: We recorded scalp EEG while subjects performed a Sternberg task. In each trial, subjects judged whether a probe item was one of the three items in a study list. Lists were composed of stimuli from one of five pools whose items either were verbally rehearsable (letters, words, pictures of common objects) or resistant to verbal rehearsal (sinusoidal grating patterns, single dot locations)., Results: We found oscillatory correlates unique to verbal stimuli in the theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (9-12 Hz), beta (14-28 Hz), and gamma (30-50 Hz) frequency bands. Verbal stimuli generally elicited greater power than did nonverbal stimuli. Enhanced verbal power was found bilaterally in the theta band, over frontal and occipital areas in the alpha and beta bands, and centrally in the gamma band. When we looked specifically for cases where oscillatory power in the time interval between item presentations was greater than oscillatory power during item presentation, we found enhanced beta activity in the frontal and occipital regions., Conclusion: These results implicate stimulus-induced oscillatory activity in verbal working memory and beta activity in the process of subvocal rehearsal.

We have previously produced transgenic fish from crosses between a wild-type female tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and a G transgenic male. This line of growth-enhanced tilapia carries a single copy of a chinook salmon (s) growth hormone (GH) gene spliced to an ocean pout antifreeze promoter (OPA-FPcsGH) co-ligated to a carp beta-actin/lacZ reporter gene construct, integrated into the tilapia genome. Because little is known about the expression sites of transgenes, we have characterised the gene expression patterns of sGH and tilapia (t)GH in transgenic tilapia using a newly established real-time PCR to measure the absolute mRNA amounts of both hormones. The sGH gene, which was expected to be expressed mainly in liver, was also found to be expressed in other organs, such as gills, heart, brain, skeletal muscle, kidney, spleen, intestine and testes. However, in pituitary no sGH mRNA but only tGH mRNA was found. Tilapia GH mRNA in wild-type pituitary amounted to 226 +/- 30 pg/microg total RNA but in transgenics only to 187 +/- 43 pg/microg total RNA. Liver exhibited the highest level of sGH mRNA (8.3 +/- 2.5 pg/microg total RNA) but the extrahepatic sites expressed considerable amounts of sGH mRNA ranging from 4.1 +/- 2.0 pg/microg total RNA in gills to 0.2 +/- 0.08 pg/microg total RNA in kidney. The widespread expression of the sGH gene is assumed to be due to the tissue specificity of the type III AFP gene promoter. It is assumed that our transgenic experiments, which in contrast to some other approaches caused no obvious organ abnormalities, mimick the GH expression during ontogeny. Because sGH mRNA is expressed both in liver and in extrahepatic sites it may not only promote secretion and release of liver-derived (endocrine) IGF-I leading to an overall growth enhancement but also stimulate IGF-I expression within the different organs in a paracrine/autocrine manner and, thus, further promote organ growth.

A plasmid containing human coagulation factor VII (hFVII) complementary DNA regulated by a cytomegalovirus promoter was microinjected into fertilized eggs of zebrafish, African catfish, and tilapia. The active form of hFVll was detected in the fish embryos by various assays. This positive expression of human therapeutic protein in fish embryos demonstrates the possibility of exploitation of transgenic fish as bioreactors.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare treatment efficacy and complications of abdominal myomectomy with those of uterine fibroid embolization in women with symptomatic uterine fibroids., Materials and Methods: We analyzed the outcomes of 111 consecutive patients who underwent abdominal myomectomy (n = 44) or fibroid embolization (n = 67) over a 30-month period. The mean ages of the two groups were 37.7 years (range, 28-48 years) and 44.2 years (range, 31-56 years), respectively. A questionnaire and review of medical records assessed all procedure-related complications and changes in symptoms. Length of hospital stay, time until resumption of daily activities, and pain medication requirements after the procedure were also analyzed., Results: Follow-up times for the myomectomy and embolization groups were 14.6 and 14.3 months, respectively. The respective observed success rates in abdominal myomectomy and uterine fibroid embolization patients were 64% versus 92% for menorrhagia (p < 0.05), 54% versus 74% for pain (not significant), and 91% versus 76% for mass effect (p < 0.05). The complication rates were 25% (abdominal myomectomy) and 11% (uterine fibroid embolization) (p < 0.05). The respective secondary end points for the two procedures were 2.9 versus 0 days mean hospital stay, 8.7 versus 5.1 days of narcotics use, and 36 versus 8 days until resumption of normal activities. These differences were all statistically significant., Conclusion: Uterine fibroid embolization is a less invasive and safer treatment option in women with symptomatic leiomyomas than myomectomy. Menorrhagia may be better controlled with embolization, and myomectomy may be a better option in patients with mass effect. Both procedures were equally effective in controlling pain.

The tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) has an important place in the aquaculture of the developing world. It is also a very useful laboratory animal, and readily lends itself to the transgenic technology. Through the use of reporter genes, a range of potential gene promoters have been tested in tilapia, both through transient and stable expression of the reporter construct. Using the transgenic technology, growth enhanced lines of tilapia have been produced. These fish have no abnormalities and offer a considerable growth advantage for future exploitation. It is however crucial that transgenic fish, to be exploited in aquaculture, be sterile, and various methods of achieving sterility are considered. These include triploidy, gene knock out of crucial hormone encoding genes via homologous recombination, and knock down of the function of the same genes via ribozyme or antisense technologies. Transgenic tilapia also offer the potential for exploitation as biofactories in the production of valuable pharmaceutical products, and this is also discussed.

The salts [M(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)](2), M = Pd, Pt, are prepared by reductive carbonylation of Pd[Pd(SO(3)F)(6)], Pt(SO(3)F)(4) or PtF(6) in liquid SbF(5), or HF-SbF(5). The resulting moisture-sensitive, colorless solids are thermally stable up to 140 degrees C (M = Pd) or 200 degrees C (M = Pt). Their thermal decompositions are studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Single crystals of both salts are suitable for an X-ray diffraction study at 180 K. Both isostructural salts crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c (No. 14). The unit cell volume of [Pt(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)](2) is smaller than that of [Pd(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)](2) by about 0.4%. The cations [M(CO)(4)](2+), M = Pd, Pt, are square planar with only very slight angular and out-of-plane deviations from D(4)(h)() symmetry. The interatomic distances and bond angles for both cations are essentially identical. The [Sb(2)F(11)](-) anions in [M(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)](2,) M = Pd, Pt, are not symmetry-related, and both pairs differ in their Sb-F-Sb bridge angles and their dihedral angles. There are in each salt four to five secondary interionic C- -F contacts per CO group. Of these, two contacts per CO group are significantly shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii by 0.58 - 0.37 A. In addition, structural, and spectroscopic details of recently synthesized [Rh(CO)(4)][Al(2)Cl(7)] are reported. The cations [Rh(CO)(4)](+) and [M(CO)(4)](2+), M = Pd, Pt, are characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy. Of the 16 vibrational modes (13 observable, 3 inactive) 10 (Pd, Pt) or 9 (Rh), respectively, are found experimentally. The vibrational assignments are supported by DFT calculations, which provide in addition to band positions also intensities of IR bands and Raman signals as well as internal force constants for the cations. (13)C NMR measurements complete the characterization of the square planar metal carbonyl cations. The extensive characterization of [M(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)](2), M = Pd, Pt, reported here, allows a comparison to linear and octahedral [M(CO)(n)()][Sb(2)F(11)](2) salts [M = Hg (n = 2); Fe, Ru, Os (n = 6)] and their derivatives, which permit a deeper understanding of M-CO bonding in the solid state for superelectrophilic cations with [Sb(2)F(11)](-) or [SbF(6)](-) as anions.