Superoxide dismutase and cytokines in chronic patients with schizophrenia: association with psychopathology and response to antipsychotics.

Objective: Both schizophrenia and oxidative stress have been associated with immune system abnormalities in interleukin-2 and -6 (IL-2; IL-6) and increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. These abnormalities may improve during antipsychotic drug treatment that reduces symptoms in schizophrenic patients.

Materials And Methods: Subjects included 30 healthy controls (HC) and 78 schizophrenic (SCH) in-patients who were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with risperidone 6 mg/day or haloperidol 20 mg/day.

Decomposition of dimethyl methylphosphonate on Pt, Au, and Au-Pt clusters supported on TiO2(110).

The decomposition of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) was studied by temperature programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) on TiO(2)-supported Pt, Au, and Au-Pt clusters as well as on TiO(2)(110) itself. In agreement with previous work, TPD experiments for DMMP on TiO(2)(110) showed that methyl and methane were the main gaseous products. Multiple DMMP adsorption-reaction cycles on TiO(2)(110) demonstrated that active sites for DMMP decomposition were blocked after a single cycle, but some activity for methyl production was sustained even after five cycles.

Gamma-radiation synthesis and properties of superparamagnetic CS-ZnSe:Mn nanocrystals for biological labeling.

Chitosan coated ZnSe:Mn (CS-ZnSe:Mn) nanocrystals were successfully synthesized in aqueous system through a gamma-radiation route at room temperature under ambient pressure. The structure and properties of nanocrystals were investigated with transmission electron microscope (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrometer, photoluminescence emission (PL) spectra, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersion spectrum (EDS). Results showed that the diameter of these nanocrystals was about 4 nm with narrow size distribution.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) eggs from the northeastern U.S.

A total of 114 peregrine falcon eggs from nests in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont were analyzed for polybrominanted diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Eggs were collected from 1996 to 2006, excluding 1997 and 1998. Total PBDE concentrations ranged from 74.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA): a novel approach for the evaluation of abdominal liposuction results.

Background: It is difficult to measure exactly the amount of adipose tissue by which the body is reduced after liposuction. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) has been widely used in not only the diagnosis of osteoporosis but also the analysis of body composition such as the amount of bone mineral, adipose tissue, and other soft tissue. With this technique we can determine the exact amount of adipose tissue removed by liposuction.

An alternative treatment for facial nerve tumors: short-term results of radiotherapy.

A review of medical records of patients undergoing radiotherapy for facial nerve tumors was undertaken to determine subsequent facial nerve results, hearing results, and tumor control. Two patients with facial nerve tumors received this treatment. Facial nerve function remains excellent in one patient and significantly improved in the other.

Intracellular uptake, trafficking and subcellular distribution of folate conjugated single walled carbon nanotubes within living cells.

Herein we studied the uptake, trafficking and distribution of folate conjugated single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) within living cells. SWNTs were noncovalently functionalized with chitosan and then linked with folate acid and fluorescence dye Alexa Fluor 488 (denoted FA-SWNTs). Hep G2 cells were cultured in vitro and incubated with FA-SWNTs at different levels.

Lower serum cytokine levels in smokers than nonsmokers with chronic schizophrenia on long-term treatment with antipsychotics.

Objective: Schizophrenia is associated with various abnormalities in the immune system. Suppression of inflammatory cytokines by cigarette smoke is well-established. The purpose of this study was to determine any differences in cytokine profiles in smokers and nonsmokers with schizophrenia and whether there were any relationships among altered cytokine profiles and psychopathological symptoms.

[Endoscope assisted transaxillary subglandular breast augmentation].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of endoscope assisted transaxillary subglandular breast augmentation in order to minimize the bleeding and tissue injury.

Methods: Since 2005, 27 patients underwent endoscope assisted transaxillary subglandular breast augmentation. Intraoperative bleeding and dissection injury were markedly decreased.

Activation of human embryonic gene expression in cytoplasmic hybrid embryos constructed between bovine oocytes and human fibroblasts.

Cross-species somatic all number transfer (SCNT) provides a potential solution to overcome the problem of oocyte shortage for therapeutic cloning. To further characterize the system, we constructed cytoplasm hybrid embryos between bovine oocytes and human fibroblasts and examined dynamics of human gene activation during preimplantation stages. Data from this study showed that human embryonic genes, OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, E-CADHERIN, as well as beta-ACTIN, were activated by enucleated bovine oocytes.

High-temperature-resistant distributed Bragg reflector fiber laser written in Er/Yb co-doped fiber.

We present a high-temperature-resistant distributed Bragg reflector fiber laser photowritten in Er/Yb codoped phosphosilicate fiber that is capable of long-term operation at 500 degrees C. Highly saturated Bragg gratings are directly inscribed into the Er/Yb fiber without hydrogen loading by using a 193 nm excimer laser and phase mask method. After annealing at elevated temperature, the remained gratings are strong enough for laser oscillation.

Enhanced hearing in heat-activated-crimping prosthesis stapedectomy.

Objectives: Compare short-term hearing outcomes with a heat-activated-crimping versus manual-crimping stapedectomy prosthesis.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Tertiary care neurotology referral center.

Enhanced photoelectrochemical method for linear DNA hybridization detection using Au-nanopaticle labeled DNA as probe onto titanium dioxide electrode.

A photoelectrochemical method was proposed to detect DNA hybridization using Au nanoparticle modified DNA as one probe on TiO2 substrate, in which the TiO2 substrate was used not only as DNA anchors but also as the signal transducers. Hybridization between the probe and the target DNA oligonucleotides was confirmed by the decreased photocurrent of the TiO2 electrode. Compared with non-label probe, Au nanoparticles enhanced the photocurrent shifts after the hybridization.

[Study of thermal diffusivity by piezoelectric photoacoustic phase].

Piezoelectric photoacoustic phase information can be applied to determine the thermal diffusivity of sample. In actual experiments, the results of phase versus modulation frequency deviate from the theory heavily because of the disturbance of instrumental contribution from the whole detecting system. Considering that the instrumental contribution of phase from PA cell can be ignored reasonably, there will be no additional phase contribution after the piezoelectric PA cell has been replaced by microphone PA cell while the other experimental conditions have been kept invariable.

Synthesis and analysis of stabilizing ligands for FKBP-derived destabilizing domains.

We recently identified mutants of the human FKBP12 protein that are unstable and rapidly degraded when expressed in mammalian cells. We call these FKBP mutants destabilizing domains (DDs), because their instability is conferred to any protein fused to the DDs. A cell-permeable ligand binds tightly to the DDs and prevents their degradation, thus providing small molecule control over intracellular protein levels.

Acoustic neuroma in a private neurotology practice: trends in demographics and practice patterns.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine whether changes in demographics and management of patients with acoustic neuromas occurred between the years 1990 and 2005.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: Charts of all 614 patients with a diagnosis of acoustic neuroma, excluding neurofibromatosis-2, from 1990 through 2005 were reviewed.

Removing uncertain variables based on ensemble partial least squares.

A strategy, named as removing uncertain variables based on ensemble partial least squares (RUV-EPLS), was proposed. In this strategy, the uncertainty in PLS regression coefficients is evaluated by the criterion of stability, and the variables whose regression coefficients carry a relatively large uncertainty are eliminated. Then, a new EPLS model with the remaining variables is constructed.

Fabrication and characterization of needle-like nano-HA and HA/MWNT composites.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic has been used in tissue engineering and orthopedics for its good biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. However, its clinical applications are usually limited by the low strength and brittleness. The objective of this research was to develop a new kind of HA composites in which multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were introduced to the HA ceramic matrix to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting composites.

Hydroxyapatite cement cranioplasty in translabyrinthine acoustic neuroma surgery-update.

Objective: To update the outcome of hydroxyapatite cement cranioplasty in translabyrinthine acoustic neuroma (TLAN) surgery.

Patients: One hundred eight previously reported patients undergoing abdominal fat graft reconstruction versus hydroxyapatite cement cranioplasty with additional 4-year follow up. Ninety additional patients undergoing a uniform technique of hydroxyapatite cement cranioplasty after TLAN.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in birds of prey from Northern China.

Birds of prey from Northern China (Beijing area) were examined for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). A total of 47 specimens from eight different species were analyzed. Muscle and liver were analyzed separately for each bird.

Endolymphatic mastoid shunt versus endolymphatic sac decompression for Ménière's disease.

Objective: This study compares the efficacy of endolymphatic mastoid shunt (EMS) versus endolymphatic sac decompression (ESD) without sac incision for the treatment of Ménière's disease.

Study Design And Setting: The AAO-HNS Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Therapy in Ménière's disease were used to retrospectively identify suitable candidates for the study. All patients who failed medical management and underwent either endolymphatic-mastoid shunt (EMS) (n = 88) or endolymphatic sac decompression (ESD) (n = 108) were selected for review using the AAO-HNS guidelines.

Association of functional catechol O-methyl transferase (COMT) Val108Met polymorphism with smoking severity and age of smoking initiation in Chinese male smokers.

Rationale: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme involved in the degradation and inactivation of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is important in mediating drug reward such as nicotine in tobacco smoke. Different COMT alleles encode enzyme whose activity varies from three- to fourfold that may affect dopamine levels and alter subjective effects of nicotine. Recent evidence also suggests that a COMT polymorphism may be especially important in determining an individual's predisposition to developing nicotine dependence.

An adaptive strategy for selecting representative calibration samples in the continuous wavelet domain for near-infrared spectral analysis.

Sample selection is often used to improve the cost-effectiveness of near-infrared (NIR) spectral analysis. When raw NIR spectra are used, however, it is not easy to select appropriate samples, because of background interference and noise. In this paper, a novel adaptive strategy based on selection of representative NIR spectra in the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) domain is described.