Search

The Labrador Sea is one of the largest under-explored areas along the eastern Canadian Margin. Prior to 2011, exploration of this region had focused on the continental shelf with numerous vintage 2D seismic surveys executed over the past 50 years and 30 wells drilled during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Most of the wells drilled in the Saglek and Hopedale basins were targeting shelfal structural traps. The acquisition of the new 2011-2012 Labrador Sea long offset regional 2D seismic data (22,000 km) has resulted in significant uplift in image quality and has provided new data for a vast area of the slope and deep-water that was previously un-imaged. The enhanced image quality is leading to identification of geological features and potential leads in regions never before considered prospective.

We have developed methods that enable us to quantify the amount of drug deposited at specific anatomic locations throughout the respiratory tract. These methods are presented with an example of the results from the delivery of an anti-protease drug to the lungs with a metered-dose inhaler

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy utilizing the contact-tip Nd:YAG laser. We performed laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hys...

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of body weight dissatisfaction and sub clinical eating disorder attitudes and behaviors in both normal and overweight glucose intolerant non diabetic women. Sixty one glucose-intolerant women, age 45±10 years (mean ±SD) confirmed with a 4 hour glucose tolerance test were referred to a registered dietitian between May and December 1997. A questionnaire assessed the prevalence of sub clinical eating disorder attitudes and behaviors by the presence of self-reported 1) weight dissatisfaction, 2) chronic dieting mind-set 3) binge or uncontrolled eating and 4) feelings of guilt or depression after a binge. Weight status was determined by body mass index (BMI) classification: normal weight=BMI 20-25 (n=36) and overweight=BMI >25 (n=25). Although 93% perceived themselves as overweight, only 51% (n =31) were actually over weight. In the normal weight sub-group 87% perceived themselves as overweight versus 100% in the overweight sub-group (p= NS). Overall, 40% self-reported being chronic dieters. Prevalence of a chronic dieting mind-set was similar in both normal weight vs over weight sub-groups (41% versus 40%). Binge eating prevalence was 47% in the entire group. Results were similar in both normal weight vs overweight sub-groups [52% vs 43% (p= NS )]. Feelings of guilt and/or depression were experienced by 29% after a binge or an uncontrolled eating episode. The normal weight reported feelings of guilt and depression in 22% vs 33% (p= NS) in the over weight sub-group. Both overweight and normal weight glucose intolerant women experience sub clinical eating disorder attitudes and behaviors in conjunction with body weight dissatisfaction. This study supports the need for nutritional and psychological intervention to prevent eating disorders in this population.

The overdose shock strengths required to depress ventricular contraction were determined for damped sinusoidal current in 7 metabolically supported, isolated contracting canine hearts. Each heart was suspended in an isoresistive and isotonic solution-through which the defibrillating shocks were delivered. Defibrillation thresholds were determined with standard damped sine wave shocks of 4.4-5.5msec duration. Then overdose shocks were delivered and the depressant effect on systolic left ventricular pressure was measured for shocks of 3-12 times threshold current. The minimum (threshold) current and energy densities required to defibrillate were 59.5±4.6mA/cm2 (average) and 3.12±0.2mJ/cm3. Increasing the shock strength above threshold produced a concomitant reduction of postshock left ventricular systolic pressure. The current and energy densities required to produce 50% depression (TD50) of left ventricular systolic pressure were 5.0 and 24.1 times the threshold current and energy densities respectively, indicating a wide safety margin using this criterion.

Eight boys aged 9.5 to 17 years, on regular hemodialysis for chronic renal failure, were treated for 0.4 to 1.3 years with the anabolic steroid oxandrolone. The effects on linear growth, skeletal maturation, cell mass, and the fasting levels and response to intravenous glucose of BG, IRI, NEFA, BCAA, and IRG were measured. Following treatment there was a significant increase in mean growth velocity, growth velocity standard deviation score related to bone age, and cell mass. Overall skeletal maturation was not accelerated, and only a small advance in pubertal status was seen. There was a descrease in fasting levels of BG and NEFA; fasting BCAA and IRG were increased. The response to intravenous glucose was altered; there was a decrease in peak BG response, an increase in peak IRI response, and a more marked fall in plasma NEFA and BCAA levels. Fasting IRG levels correlated with fasting BG levels, and fell significantly following intravenous glucose both before and after treatment. Hepatotoxicity, which was reversible, was seen in a ninth boy who did not complete the study. The only other side effect, salt and water retention, was controlled by a reduction in oxandrolone dosage. These preliminary results suggest that anabolic steroids may be useful to stimulate anabolism and growth in uremic children, and that their effect is mediated by an increase in insulin secretion and/or an improvement in tissue sensitivity to insulin. Further studies with careful monitoring are required to substantiate the effect on final height and the risks involved.

LDH and GOT can be used with assurance as indicators of pressure-temperature effects in most regions of interest, specifically below 20,000 psi. LDH was susceptible to pressure deactivation at pressure levels below those tolerated by chymotrypsin, trypsin and alpha-amylase of Bacillus subtilis (17, 18, 20). Samples of LDH and GOT cooled to −20 °C were deactivated to the greatest extent by the application of pressure. The presence of glycerine and DMSO appeared to increase the sensitivity of GOT and LDH to pressure deactivation. When pressure was applied before cooling all pressures above 15,000 psi resulted in some deactivation of LDH and all pressures above 20,000 psi resulted in some deactivation of GOT.

Comments are made pertinent to the recent letter of Schilling and Smith regarding the threshold phenomena in the phase-locked loops. The remarks are based on experimental data and theoretical analysis.

SUMMARYAn Amerindian girl with Friedreich’s ataxia presented at the age of 14 years with intermittent bifrontal headaches and abdominal aching, often associated with nausea and recurrent vomiting and an evanescent pink, blotchy rash on the upper trunk. In these attacks she also had hypertension up to 210/160 mm Hg. Renal function studies, including intravenous pyelogram and angiography, were normal. Plasma renin activity (2.5 ng/ml/hr) was also normal. Total body CT scan was negative for phaeochromocytoma, and repeated estimations of 24-hour excretion of urinary VMA were normal or borderline high. Levels of total catecholamines in 24-hour urine were normal twice, but two random specimens during the paroxysmal episodes contained abnormally high levels of norepinephrine and dopamine. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were increased but not as high as with phaeochromocytoma. Blood pressure monitoring demonstrated marked fluctuations with position and temperature. A clonidine suppression test showed a substantial fall of plasma catecholamine levels, consistent with dysautonomia and not with phaeochromocytoma. It is concluded that the patient has dysautonomia of central origin, probably as a manifestation of Friedreich’s ataxia. These findings are discussed in relation to the recent demonstration of increased levels of plasma catecholamines in that disease.

Three cases of whiplash shaking injury of infants are presented. All children presented with seizures and had minimal signs of external injury. Examination of the retina revealed extensive retinal hemorrhages. These were missed on initial examination and were only discovered after pupillary dilatation. The presence of these palecentered retinal hemorrhages suggested the diagnosis of child abuse and skeletal surveys and thorough social histories confirmed the diagnosis. Despite extensive retinal hemorrhages, computerized axial tomography (C.T.) scan showed minimal inter-hemispheric bleeding. In contrast to the “Battered Child Syndrome,” all the findings in whiplash shaking syndrome of infants are subtle and demand an awareness, an index of suspicion and a thorough examination which may include extensive retinal examination following dilatation of the pupils. This latter examination is frequently not performed by family physicians and residents so that the syndrome may be missed. A fourth case is also discussed where shaking is admitted on initial presentation but said to be done for resuscitation. This poses an immense diagnostic dilemma to the pediatrician since in this case the child presented later with all the signs of physical abuse.

75 children aged under 15 years have entered the regular haemodialysis/renal transplant programme at Guy's Hospital in the 10 years since its inception; 13 children have subsequently died. A combination of hospital and home haemodialysis and renal transplantation was used. 64 children received 80 renal allografts; 37 1st grafts were from live, related donors and 27 were from cadaver donors. The 5-year acturial patient survival for the whole group and for those who had transplants was 76%. Live donor graft survival was 65% at 3 years, and 55% at 5 years; 1st cadaver graft survival was 42% at 3 years. Results obtained during the last 6 years of the 10-year period showed an improvement with a live related donor graft survival rate of 71%, and a 1st cadaver graft survival rate of 47% at 3 years. Particular experience was gained with home haemodialysis and live, related donor transplantation. Despite growth, and psychosocial and rehabilitation problems, the overall results were encouraging, particularly for the 46 children who had successful transplants. These children grew better, had fewer psychosocial difficulties, and were rehabilitated more successfully into normal life than those on long-term dialysis. We conclude that dialysis and transplantation should be offered to all suitable children with terminal renal failure.

This paper describes the design, construction and first season's operation of the sister ships M. V. Kalvik and M.V. Terry Fox, the most powerful privately owned icebreakers in the world. These multi-purpose Arctic Class IV vessels are designed to support BeauDril Limited's Arctic Drilling Units in the areas of ice management, towing, anchor handling and supply. In order to achieve the required exceptional icebreaking capability and flexibility of operation, a specific combination of design features was selected. The first season's experience with the vessels, including ice trials, has shown that their performance meets and in most aspects exceeds the design requirements.

Application of high hydrostatic pressure as a cryoprotective was evaluated for the bovine sperm cell, kidney tissue, and the whole kidney. Spermatozoa samples were pressurized between 172 and 1724 bar for various lengths of time. The effect of pressure and cooling at 5 °C/min, 35 °C/min, and 55 °C/min to −60 °C was investigated. Application of pressure to sperm cells resulted in extensive damage, as shown by a decrease in motility, an increase in morphological a bnormalities, and the release of enzymes. Freezing of sperm cells, kidney tissue, and the whole kidney under high pressure was significantly more damaging than freezing at the same rates at atmospheric pressure. Pressure did not act as a cryoprotective agent but instead led to gross cellular damage, either when applied at 4 °C or during freeze-thaw procedures.

Summary This automatic system for controlling the temperature of biological materials is designed to allow the selection of cooling rates, freezing rates, storage temperatures, and warming and thawing rates. These programs are easily obtained by drawing a suitable time-temperature curve on a plastic-coated card. The control device follows the line drawn on the card and regulates the flow of the refrigerani, liquid nitrogen. This automatic control system has been used to control liquid bath temperatures, to control set point storage refrigerators, with a heat exchanger to control the temperature of a moving fluid, and to control a variable rate freezer. Biological materials have been frozen, stored, and thawed automatically. The main advantages of this automatic temperature control system are that it is easy to program, it is economical to operate, and it is versatile in its application.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the methods of preparation of L -Serine Dehydratase ( Clostridium acidiurici ). Pyruvic acid, formed from serine, is converted to pyruvate 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone. The color of the hydrazone in alkaline solution is measured in a colorimeter or spectrophotometer. One unit of activity is defined as the formation of 1 micromole of pyruvate per minute. Specific activity is defined as the number of micromoles of pyruvate formed per minute per milligram of protein. The enzyme is specific for L -serine. D -Serine, L -threonine, and DL -homoserine show 1-3% of the activity of L -serine, while glycine, alanine, β-alanine, L -cysteine, and L -tryptophan are not utilized as substrates. DL -Serine is 50% as effective as the L -isomer. The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of the enzyme shows a broad peak at 420 mμ with a 330-mμ shoulder on the protein peak at 278 mμ. Fluorescence maxima appear at 390 and 520 mμ when the enzyme is activated at 340 and 420 mμ, respectively.