Endoscopic measurement of lesions is of great importance in the design and performance of clinical trials, as, for example, in studies of ulcer disease. Endoscopes are constructed with wide-angle lenses that significantly distort the image by creating a relative compression of points in its periphery. We have recently developed a computer program to correct the distortion of the wide-angle lens. We sought to determine the accuracy of the currently used open-biopsy forceps measurement technique and compare it to that of an image-processing technique designed to correct image distortion. The overall error of the open-biopsy forceps technique using an in vitro ulcer model was under-estimation of lesion size by 41.8% +/- 23.3%. When image processing was used to correct distortion, error was significantly decreased to 1.8% +/- 2.2% (p < 0.05). In vivo measurements were made using an inserted object of known size (coated chewing gum). The mean error of the forceps technique in vivo was 26.5% +/- 5.7% (under-estimation of size), which improved significantly to an error of 2.8% +/- 3.2% (p < 0.05) with the image-processing technique. We conclude that image processing significantly enhances the accuracy of measurement at endoscopy.

Biopsy↗

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Spinal cord injury with a narrow spinal canal: utilizing Torg's ratio method of analyzing cervical spine radiographs.

A 65-year-old inebriated man crashed his car and presented with spinal shock and neurogenic shock from a cervical spinal cord injury without cervical spine fracture or dislocation. The lateral cervical spine radiography was initially read as normal, except for degenerative disk disease; however, Torg's ratio method of analyzing cervical spinal canal sagittal width indicated the spinal canal was congenitally narrow. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed this and showed bulging and herniation of multiple invertebral disks between C2 and C7. This case illustrates the value of using Torg's ratio method of analyzing lateral cervical spine radiographs. Although Torg's method has not been prospectively validated, it may be useful to identify patients at risk for cervical spinal cord injuries without fractures or dislocations. An abnormal Torg's ratio may be the only clue to the fact that the patient is at higher risk of spinal cord injury when the patient's history or examination is questionable because of head injury, drug intoxication, or therapeutic sedation and paralysis.

Accidents, Traffic↗

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Human T-cell receptor beta-chain genes.

cDNA clones encoding the beta chain of the T-cell antigen receptor from the human leukaemic cell line JM (which extend through the constant region and into the variable region of the receptor) show hybridization only to RNA from JM cells, and not in five other T-cell leukaemias. Multiple hybridizing bands were detected in genomic DNA digests by a V beta probe, suggesting that inherited V beta gene diversity will be significant. Two beta-chain constant region genes (designated C beta 1 and C beta 2) occur in human genomic DNA, and both of these genes are capable of rearrangement in T-cell DNA. When the downstream C beta 2 gene is rearranged, deletion of the C beta 1 gene can occur. These characteristics of rearrangement and deletion of beta-chain genes show analogies to the immunoglobulin gene loci.

Base Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Managing the hair and skin of African American pediatric patients.

In Africa, the ancestral home of most African Americans, hair is viewed as the epitome of beauty. However, when Africans were brought to America as slaves, they were unable to care for their hair and skin adequately and were exposed to the predominant white culture, which valued straight hair and light skin. As a result, many African Americans lost self-esteem because of the characteristics of their hair and skin. In this article we examine the anatomic and physiologic features of African American hair and skin and typical African American hair and skin care practices. Common African American hair and skin disorders and their management are discussed. The goal of this article is to help primary care providers understand the special hair and skin care required for African American children (as well as other dark-skinned patients). With good patient education, understanding one's own hair and skin characteristics can also support positive self-esteem.

Black or African American↗

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In vivo antitumor activity of a panel of four monoclonal antibody-vinca alkaloid immunoconjugates which bind to three distinct epitopes of carcinoembryonic antigen.

A panel of four murine monoclonal antibodies apparently directed against three distinct epitopes of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was conjugated via oxidized carbohydrate groups to 4-desacetylvinblastine-3-carboxyhydrazide. The resulting antibody-vinca conjugates were evaluated for antitumor activity against 2-9-day-established LS174T human colorectal carcinoma xenografts. The antibodies (immunoglobulin G, IgG) employed in this study were 11.285.14 (IgG1), 14.95.55 (IgG2a), CEM231 (IgG1), ZCE025 (IgG1). Additive immunofluorescence studies indicated that CEM231 and ZCE025 recognized the same or a closely related epitope(s) on CEA which was distinct from the two epitopes bound by 11.285.14 and 14.95.55. The in vivo antitumor efficacy studies demonstrated that chemoimmunoconjugates prepared from 14.95.55 and ZCE025 were more active than the conjugates constructed from the 11.285.14 and CEM231 antibodies. The 14.95.55 and ZCE025 immunoconjugates were also more efficacious than free drug or drug conjugated to irrelevant murine IgG. The presence of increased carbohydrate content on the light chain of ZCE025 may have been responsible for the ability to construct ZCE025-vinca conjugates with about twice the drug content (approximately 10 mol of vinca/mol of IgG) than was achieved with the other antibodies. The highly conjugated form of ZCE025 demonstrated similar efficacy but was much less toxic than a ZCE025 conjugate containing 5 mol of vinca/mol of IgG. These data indicated that significant differences existed in the ability of monoclonal antibodies to target a cytotoxic agent for effective antitumor activity even when the immunoconjugates recognized the same antigen or even the same or closely related antigen epitope(s). Furthermore, these differences could not have been identified without extensive in vivo evaluation for antitumor efficacy.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Carrots, carotene and seeing in the dark.

Should older people eat more carrots, or at least increase their carotene intake to prevent loss of night vision? Participants in the Blue Mountains Eye Study were asked about their ability to see in the dark. Nutrient and food intake were estimated from a food frequency questionnaire. Associations between self-reported poor night vision and estimated nutrient intake were investigated using logistic regression. Poor night vision among women was associated with higher beta-carotene (P for trend = 0.03) and total vitamin A intake (P for trend = 0.048). Increased consumption of carrots, but no other food high in beta-carotene, was associated with significant increased reporting of poor night vision among women (P for trend = 0.04). While carrot intake may protect against difficulty in seeing at night, it is probable that people attributing poor driving ability to their vision may be eating more carrots in the hope of reversing this decline.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Failure of montelukast to prevent aspirin-induced asthma.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acetates↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of early maturation on fetal growth.

While the association of young maternal age with low birthweight (LBW) is well known, the contribution of early menarche to this association has never been studied. We examined the effects of early menarche (less than or equal to 11 years) on LBW and its two major underlying causes: pre-term delivery and smallness-for-gestational-age (SGA). Results represent a narrow chronological age range, 17-18 years, of a larger geographically based cohort of 2789 pregnant adolescents. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) indicated that early menarche was significantly associated with an increased risk of LBW which was specific to SGA. The attributable risk of SGA with early menarche exceeded 20%. Early age at menarche is also correlated with an earlier onset of sexual activity, pregnancy, and childbearing. Consequently, adolescents with early menarche are over-represented in a sample limited to young gravidae or a sample that contains a stratum of young gravidae. This may have previously obscured the effects or early menarche on foetal growth and attributed them to a more frequently measured characteristic, young maternal age. Thus, effects of secular change in age at menarche may not be wholly benign. Improvements in maternal fertility and nutritional status appear to be offset by intrauterine growth retardation in the offspring.

Adolescent↗