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PubMed1997

Levels of heavy metals in seals of Lake Ladoga and the White Sea.

Between 1990 and 1993 samples of hair, liver, kidney and muscle were collected from 28 ringed seals from Lake Ladoga, Phoca hispida ladogensis, 20 ringed seals, Phoca hispida hispida, and three bearded seals, Erignathus barbatus, from the White Sea for heavy-metal residue analyses in tissues. The concentration of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The samples of hair and liver contained the highest mean levels of the elements analysed and the muscle contained the lowest mean heavy-metal concentrations. Age and sex differences in the accumulation of pollutants were found. Tissues of Ladoga ringed seal were to a greater extent contaminated with the heavy metals studied than the tissues of the White Sea pinnipeds.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Meningoencephalitis due to a Sarcocystis neurona-like protozoan in Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi).

Seven Pacific harbor seals with meningoencephalitis associated with Sarcocystis neurona-like protozoa are described. Six of the 7 seals were free-ranging and were found stranded over an 80-km stretch of central California coastline; the other was captive. All had marked to severe nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis, most severe in the cerebellar cortex. Immunohistochemistry for S. neurona antigens was positive on brain tissue in all cases, revealing numerous merozoites as well as developing and mature schizonts, including rosette forms. Electron microscopy performed on 3 animals revealed merozoites and schizonts consistent with Sarcocystis sp., with the absence of rhoptries in merozoites, lack of a parasitophorous vacuole around schizonts, and division by endopolygeny. Serology using western blotting revealed the presence of anti-S. neurona immunoglobulins in the sera of 4 of 5 seals tested. Four animals also had a concurrent mild to moderate nonsuppurative myocarditis; in 1 seal, rare sarcocysts of undetermined species were present within cardiomyocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The use of extraction replicas in scanning electron microscopy for the elemental analysis of marginal seals.

Elemental analysis of marginal seal material on 20 bulk samples of occlusally restored teeth have shown that, generally, more elements were detected in the seal material analyzed on the bulk restoration or fractured tooth surfaces than when such material was extracted using a nitrocellulose replica prior to analysis. No mercury was detected in any of the extracted seal material and only three of the replica specimens contained silver. This implies that the technique of using extraction replicas to remove material from the amalgam-tooth interface for subsequent x-ray microanalysis can provide an accurate elemental composition. The details of fabrication and the advantages of using high resolution nitrocellulose replicas for extracting marginal seal material from teeth for subsequent x-ray microanalysis are described.

Dental Amalgam↗

PubMed2006

Fumigant distribution in forest nursery soils under water seal and plastic film after application of dazomet, metam-sodium and chloropicrin.

Adequate concentration, exposure time and distribution uniformity of activated fumigant gases are prerequisites for successful soil fumigation. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate gas phase distributions of methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) and chloropicrin (CP) in two forest-tree nurseries. Concentrations of MITC and CP in soil air were measured from replicated microplots that received dazomet, metam-sodium and CP. Half of the plots were covered with high-density polyethylene tarp immediately after fumigation; the other half were not covered but received daily sprinkler irrigation for 1 week to create and maintain a water seal. The magnitude of MITC concentrations was similar between nurseries for metam-sodium in both tarp and water seal treatments and for dazomet in the tarp treatment. Consistently greater MITC and CP concentrations were found in the upper 30 cm of soil in the tarped plots compared with the water-sealed plots. Despite potential environmental and economic benefits with the water seal method, tarp covers were more reliable for achieving and maintaining higher MITC and CP concentrations and less prone to variations due to irrigation/rain, soil bulk density and other environmental conditions.

Forestry↗

PubMed1999

Female distribution, genetic relatedness, and fostering behaviour in harbour seals, Phoca vitulina.

Although harbour seals may not recognize their relatives, relatives could be chosen preferentially for fostering (i.e. kin selection) if harbour seals display natal philopatry coupled with breeding site fidelity, and thus kin are clustered within the colony. We used behavioural and genetic data to investigate population structure within the Sable Island breeding colony and to test whether harbour seals tend to foster related pups. Adult females on Sable Island showed a high level of breeding-colony site fidelity but low levels of within-colony site fidelity both within and between years. Similarly, although lactating females showed a clumped distribution, group composition was highly variable, suggesting that this study colony was not composed of groups of related animals. DNA fingerprint data supported the hypothesis that female distribution within the colony was not correlated with genetic relatedness. Furthermore, the mean DNA band sharing among foster dyads did not differ significantly from that for unrelated animals. These results indicate that among harbour seals, related pups are not usually chosen preferentially for fostering and hence, kin selection is not likely to be influencing the occurrence of this behaviour. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Finescale topographical correlates of behavioural investment in offspring by female grey seals, Halichoerus grypus.

Grey seals breed colonially on substrates ranging from ice to rocky or sandy beaches. Clear differences in seal behaviour patterns exist among such broad classes of breeding habitat. However, finer scale topographical variation is likely to influence individual behaviour with consequences for pupping success. We examined topographical influences on the behaviour of breeding female grey seals by quantifying topography at a subseal size resolution. Using submetre resolution digital terrain models of two sites within a rocky breeding colony, we compared site topography in relation to observed differences in female behaviour at these sites. Females at both sites preferred breeding close to water (standing pools or sea) and frequently commuted between their pups and water. Topographical models indicated that one site was more costly for seals in terms of their locations and movements within the site. This was due to a lack of low-elevation land adjacent to the main access points from the sea and the reduced availability of pools. Females at this site showed reduced pup attendance and an increase in energetically costly behaviours, whilst females at the lower-cost site spent more time interacting with their pups and resting. These topographically induced behavioural differences are likely to affect the quantity and quality of pup provisioning by mothers and influence individual pupping site selection. Less costly sites are likely to be colonized preferentially and by larger, older and more dominant females, potentially generating finescale spatial heterogeneity in female quality within the breeding colony. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

Elution of six antibiotics bonded to polyethylene vascular grafts sealed with three proteins.

The elution of six antistaphylococcal antibiotics from vascular polyethylene grafts sealed with albumin, gelatin, or collagen were studied in an in vitro system. The antibiotics tested were pefloxacin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, fusidic acid, pristinamycin, and rifampicin. The grafts were impregnated by simple soaking in antibiotic (1 mg/ml). The data were fitted to an exponential model and antibiotic half-lives (t1/2) were calculated from the regression lines. All the antibiotics tested were bound to the protein sealants. Antibiotic release varied with the type of antibiotic and the sealant. Rifampicin was eluted most slowly, particularly with albumin- and gelatin-sealed grafts, with t1/2 at 4-5.5 hr and antibiotic activity was still found at 48 hr. The glycopeptides were also eluted more slowly from albumin or gelatin sealant than from collagen. Although large quantities of glycopeptides were initially bound, they were quickly eluted (t1/2 = 30-44 min) and there was no residual antibiotic activity at 24 hr. Pefloxacin, pristinamycin, and fusidic acid bound to collagen or gelatin sealants were the most rapidly eluted, with t1/2 of 3-14 min, but they were eluted more slowly from albumin-sealed grafts, with t1/2 of 22-90 min. In vitro studies can be useful for evaluating the binding of antibiotics to protein-sealed grafts before animal experiments or human testing.

Albumins↗

PubMed1995

Early inflammatory response to gelatin- and collagen-sealed Dacron prostheses.

The immediate inflammatory response following aortic reconstruction with two types of sealed Dacron grafts was studied in a prospective, randomized manner. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured before surgery and on days 2 and 8 postoperatively. In the collagen-sealed group (n = 10) CRP levels were 10 +/- 9.6, 180.2 +/- 48.3, and 54.3 +/- 34.3 mg/L, respectively. In the gelatin-impregnated group (n = 10) the values were 10.5 +/- 8.7, 200.7 +/- 27.3, and 80.3 +/- 30.2 mg/L, respectively. The slight differences were not significant according to the analysis of variance test for repeated measurements. These findings suggest that implantation of a knitted Dacron graft sealed with collagen does not lead to a higher inflammatory reaction compared with a gelatin-sealed graft.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Effect of the metallic seal of a hermetic enclosure on the induction of power to an implant.

Most neuroprostheses which use integrated circuits protect these chip components in a hermetic package. No satisfactory method of sealing such an enclosure has been found which does not use metals. Therefore, in general, the seal is an electrically conducting ring. If induction is used to supply power to this device, this ring will be a 'short-circuited turn' which will affect the performance of the inductive link. In the paper, theory is presented for a model in which the metallic seal is a tertiary inductance, coupled to the primary and secondary. The tertiary has finite Q. Equations for this model are given from which formulae for the gain and efficiency are derived for the particular condition of tuning that the carrier frequency equals the resonant frequency of both the primary and secondary circuits. From the formulae, gain curves are plotted which show how the seal affects the link. However, it is clear that general solutions to the problem are needed if the theory is to be of practical use.

Electric Power Supplies↗

PubMed2004

In cadavers, directly measured mucosal pressures are similar for the Unique and the Soft Seal laryngeal mask airway devices.

PURPOSE: We compare the Soft Seal and Unique single-use, plastic laryngeal mask airway devices with respect to intracuff pressure, directly measured mucosal pressure and in vitro elastance. METHODS: Ten fresh male cadavers were studied. Microchip pressure sensors were attached to the following locations: A) the anterior middle part of the cuff side; B) the posterior tip of the cuff; C) the anterior base of the cuff; D) the posterior middle part of the cuff side; E) the backplate; and F) the posterior tube. The size 5 Unique and size 5 Soft Seal were inserted in random order using laryngoscope-guidance. Intracuff pressure and mucosal pressure were documented at 0 to 40 mL cuff volume in 10 mL increments. In vitro elastance was determined between 20 to 40 mL cuff volume. RESULTS: For both devices, mucosal pressure increased with cuff volume at most locations. Intracuff pressures and in vitro elastance (5.2 +/- 0.7 cm H(2)O/mL vs 3.8 +/- 0.4 cm H(2)O/mL, P < 0.0001) were higher for the Unique than the Soft Seal (P < 0.0001), but there were no differences in mucosal pressures at any location or cuff volume. CONCLUSION: Intracuff pressures and in vitro elastance are higher for the Unique than the Soft Seal, but mucosal pressures are similar suggesting that the airway morbidity will be similar.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Final report of the European multi-center registry using the Duett vascular sealing device.

Duett, a novel vascular sealing device, was first clinically used in July 1997. A European multi-center registry was established to evaluate the safety and procedural success of the Duett sealing device in a broad range of patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional endovascular procedures. At 25 European sites 1587 patients were enrolled. All patients (> or = 18 years) must have given informed consent for the use of the sealing device after a diagnostic and/or interventional endovascular procedure performed via a femoral arterial approach. Standard length (< or = 10 cm) 5 to 9 F introducer sheaths had to be used. An ACT of < or = 400 s, and any approved GP IIb/IIIa platelet receptor antagonist was permitted. Successful deployment could be achieved in 96.2% (1526/1587 patients) with complete hemostasis within 2 to 5 minutes in over 95% of the patients. The complication-free rate was 96.4%. Arterial occlusions were rare (4 patients) and successfully treated with surgical repair in 1 and with thrombolysis in 3 patients. Pseudoaneurysms occurred in 34 patients, the majority (30/34) were successfully treated with ultrasound-guided compression or resolved spontaneously. The total rate of major complications was 2.6% (41/1587). The final results of the European registry demonstrate that the Duett sealing device can be used with a high procedural success following diagnostic and interventional endovascular procedures. The incidence of major complications is low and comparable to all other approved vascular closure devices and manual compression. CE-mark certification was approved at the end of 1998.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Keeping central venous lines open: a prospective comparison of heparin, vitamin C and sodium chloride sealing solutions in medical patients.

OBJECTIVE: To prevent catheter occlusion, intermittently used central venous catheters are frequently sealed with vitamin C solution or heparin solution between use. The present study was designed to test the effectiveness of this approach and to compare the efficiency of sealing solutions. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective randomized study performed on a 9-bed medical ICU and on medical wards of an academic tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS. Ninety-nine central venous line placements were prospectively included in the study and randomized into three treatment groups: sodium chloride 0.9%, vitamin C (200 mg/ml) and heparin (5000 IU/ml) sealing solutions. INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS: Catheters were filled with the respective sealing solution and patency was tested once every 2 days using a standardized routine. Catheter patency was compared among the three groups using Kaplan-Meier statistics and log-rank testing. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in catheter patency between the three groups (p<0.03, log-rank test). A comparison of catheter survival between the catheters filled with heparin and those filled with sodium chloride, but not between those filled with vitamin C solution and with sodium chloride solution, exhibited significant differences in catheter patency (p<0.04, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Local anticoagulation of intermittently used central venous catheters prolongs catheter patency. High-dose (5000 IU/ml) heparin solution is a useful anticoagulant for this purpose, while vitamin C solution does not prolong catheter patency.

Academic Medical Centers↗

PubMed2005

Hepatic surgery using the Ligasure vessel sealing system.

Blood loss, a well-known risk factor for morbidity and mortality during liver resection, occurs during parenchymal transection, so many approaches and devices have been developed to limit bleeding. Surgical technique is an important factor in preventing intraoperative and postoperative complications. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the bipolar vessel sealing device allows a safe and careful liver transection, achieving a satisfactory hemostasis thus reducing blood loss and related complications.A total of 30 consecutive patients (18 male, 12 female with a mean age of 63 years) underwent major and minor hepatic resection in which the bipolar vessel sealing device was used without routine inflow occlusion. A crush technique followed by energy application was used to perform the parenchymal transection. No other devices were applied to achieve hemostasis. The bipolar vessel sealing device was effective in 27 cases of hepatic resection. It failed to achieve hemostasis in three patients, all of whom had a cirrhotic liver. Median blood loss was 250 ml (range: 100-1600 ml), and intraoperative blood transfusions were required in five patients (17%). Mean operative time was 200 minutes (range: 140-360 minutes). There was no clinical evidence of postoperative hemorrhage, bile leak, or intraabdominal abscess. The postoperative complication rate was 17%. The bipolar vessel sealing device is a useful tool in standard liver resection in patients with a normal liver parenchyma, but its use should be avoided in cirrhotic livers.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prospective nonrandomized trial of manual compression and Angio-Seal and Starclose arterial closure devices in common femoral punctures.

We compared the use of manual compression and Angio-Seal and Starclose arterial closure devices to achieve hemostasis following common femoral artery (CFA) punctures in order to evaluate safety and efficacy. A prospective nonrandomized, single-center study was carried out on all patients undergoing CFA punctures over 1 year. Hemostasis was achieved using manual compression in 108 cases, Angio-Seal in 167 cases, and Starclose in 151 cases. Device-failure rates were low and not significantly different in the two groups (manual compression and closure devices; p = 0.8). There were significantly more Starclose (11.9%) patients compared to Angio-Seal (2.4%), with successful initial deployment subsequently requiring additional manual compression to achieve hemostasis (p < 0.0001). A significant number of very thin patients failed to achieve hemostasis (p = 0.014). Major complications were seen in 2.9% of Angio-Seal, 1.9% of Starclose, and 3.7% of manual compression patients, with no significant difference demonstrated; 4.7% of the major complications were seen in female patients compared to 1.3% in males (p = 0.0415). All three methods showed comparable safety and efficacy. Very thin patients are more likely to have failed hemostasis with the Starclose device, although this did not translate into an increased complication rate. There is a significant increased risk of major puncture-site complications in women with peripheral vascular disease.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

PubMed2000

The efficacy and side effects of gelatin-resorcinol formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde (GRFG) glue for preventing and sealing pulmonary air leakage.

This study was conducted to examine the efficacy and side effects of gelatin-resorcinol formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde (GRFG) glue, when used for preventing or sealing pulmonary air leakage during lung surgery. Formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde (FG) jelly was prepared by mixing FG fluid with 2.5% carboxymethyl cellulose to increase its viscosity. A GRFG glue-spreading stapler was employed to prevent air leakage from the staple line when cutting emphysematous lung tissue in 26 patients, 25 of whom underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and 1, open thoracotomy. A glue-sealing procedure was employed to stop existing pulmonary air leakage in a further 36 patients, 28 of whom underwent VATS and 8, open thoracotomy. The glue-spreading stapler technique prevented air leakage in all 26 patients (100%), while the glue-sealing procedure for pulmonary air leakage stopped air leakage in 31 of the 36 patients (86%). Two patients who underwent glue sealing for air leakage from a deeply cut lung surface suffered massive pulmonary air leakage on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 6, respectively, and required repeat surgery to suture the lung fistula. A transient fever of 38 degrees-39 degrees developed on POD 7 in 6 of the 62 patients (9.7%), but no other complications were observed. These results demonstrated that GRFG is safe and effective in preventing or stopping pulmonary air leakage in the peripheral lung, but not for stopping air leakage from a deeply cut lung.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The endowedge and kilt techniques to achieve additional juxtarenal seal during deployment of the Gore Excluder endoprosthesis.

The proximal 4 mm of the Gore Excluder endoprosthesis are scalloped. Our purpose is to describe our initial experience of a novel technique, referred to as the "endowedge," that takes advantage of this scalloped configuration in aneurysms with short proximal necks. The technique utilizes a balloon in the renal artery to aid alignment of a scallop and allow additional juxtarenal seal. A retrospective review of aneurysms treated with the endowedge technique at our institution was initiated. Renal balloons were placed via the brachial approach. Excluder endografts were deployed by flowering the first one or two rings, then advancing upward against the inflated balloon during completion of deployment. In patients with dumbbell-shaped morphology, an aortic cuff was deployed in the distal seal zone prior to the main body (kilt technique). Eight patients were identified, three of whom underwent an adjuvant kilt procedure. Average preoperative proximal neck length was 8.5 mm (range 6-12). Average additional juxtarenal seal was 2.3 mm. Mean follow-up was 5 months (range 2.5 weeks to 9 months). There were no type I endoleaks. There were two type II endoleaks. Average aneurysm size decreased from 6.0 to 5.5 cm. No aneurysm has enlarged or ruptured. We conclude that the endowedge technique allows additional juxtarenal seal during endograft placement. Our early results suggest that this technique may allow for safe treatment of aneurysms with short necks.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Root apex sealing with different filling materials photopolymerized with fiber optic-delivered argon laser light.

The present study evaluates the seal quality in the apex delta of uniradicular teeth filled with light-cured materials (calcium hydroxide, glass ionomer, and Flow-Fill Magic composite). A total of 45 roots prepared by the endo PTC/Dakin technique were used. All sample restorations were light-cured with 488-nm argon laser light. A 200-microm optical fiber introduced into the root canal delivered 100 mW of light power to the filler material. The fiber tip was positioned 5 mm away from the apex. Light was applied for 20 s. After curing, the samples were immersed in a methylene blue solution for 24 h. Then the samples were cut longitudinally and analyzed under a stereoscopic microscope for dye infiltration. For the sake of comparison, an additional group of ten samples submitted to conventional treatment with EndoREZ root canal sealer was also analyzed. The samples sealed with calcium hydroxide or with the glass ionomer presented less dye infiltration, as compared to those sealed with the Flow-Fill Magic composite. All products activated by fiber optic-delivered light showed superior sealing quality when compared with the self-activated EndoREZ sealer.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1981

Lectins as biochemical agents for the isolation of sealed membrane vesicles of defined polarity.

The asymmetric distribution of carbohydrate on biological membranes has provided the basis for the development of lectin-affinity methodology which permits the isolation of sealed, inside-out membrane fractions from heterogeneous populations of vesicles. Optimal conditions for these separations have been assessed employing purified right-side-out and inside-out vesicles derived from the plasma membrane of human erythrocytes as a model system. In this special case, homogeneous populations of defined polarity can be produced by varying the ionic conditions during formation of the vesicles. Surface-specific enzymic markers exist also for monitoring the integrity and orientation of a given population. Multivalent lectins such as wheat germ agglutinin and soya bean agglutinin which induce direct agglutination of erythrocyte membrane fragments containing accessible carbohydrate residues, selectively remove more than 90% of right-side-out and non-sealed membrane from a mixed population, a reaction which is inhibited by GluNAc or GalNAc, respectively. Non-agglutinating lectins, e.g. concanavalin A, immobilized on an inert matrix such as Sepharose 4B, may be employed to adsorb out specifically vesicles with exposed glycopeptides on their surface. In this technique, it is necessary normally to remove the non-sealed membranes on Dextran density gradients prior to the final preparation of inside-out vesicles on Con A-Sepharose. Finally, selective immunoprecipitation of fragments with accessible sugars may also be achieved after treatment with a non-agglutinating lectin (concanavalin A) followed by incubation with anti-concanavalin A IgG which promotes rapid aggregation of membrane containing exposed receptors for the lectin. These procedures should prove generally suitable for the isolation of tightly-sealed, inside-out membrane populations in a variety of biological systems. Pure populations of vesicles, exhibiting reversed polarity, are valuable in surface-labelling studies for investigating the structure, function and transmembrane distribution of integral membrane proteins/glycoproteins.

Acetylcholinesterase↗