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Selected AbstractsAllergy-like reactions to iodinated contrast agents.FUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 3 2005A critical analysis Abstract Allergy-like reactions may occur following administration of iodinated contrast media (CM), mostly in at-risk patients (patients with history of previous reaction, history of allergy, co-treated with interleukin-2 or beta-blockers, etc.) but remain generally unpredictable. Severe and fatal reactions are very rare events. All categories of CM may induce such reactions, although first generation (high osmolar CM) have been found to induce a higher rate of adverse events than low osmolar CM. However, no differences were found between the two categories of CM with respect to mortality. Delayed reactions can also occur. There are no differences between the various categories of CM except for non-ionic dimers, which are more likely to induce such effect. Numerous clinical studies have evaluated the prophylactic value of drugs (mostly antihistamines and corticosteroids). Results are unclear and highly variable. Any prevention depends upon the mechanism involved. However, the mechanism of CM-induced allergy-like reaction remains disputed. Relatively recent data revived the hypothesis of a type-I hypersensitivity mechanism. Positive skin tests to CM have been reported. However, the affinity of IgE towards CM has been found to be very low in the only study which actually evaluated it. Other pathophysiological mechanisms (involving direct secretory effects on mast cells or basophils, or activation of the complement system associated or not with the plasma contact system) are also much debated. Anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions are, in the end, clinically undistinguishable. [source] A novel approach to controlling bacterial contamination on toothbrushes: chlorhexidine coatingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 4 2009LA Turner Abstract:, Purpose:, This project was conducted to determine the effectiveness of chlorhexidine-coated toothbrush filaments in reducing quantities of bacteria. Materials and methods:, An Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved, two-group, double-blind, randomized, post-test only study was conducted. Sixty-four individuals utilized control and experimental toothbrushes, for 30 days. At the end of the study toothbrushes were returned and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Microorganisms were detached from the filaments by sonification and vortexing then plated on Mitis Salivarius (MS) (selective) and trypticase soy agar (TSA) 5% Sheep Blood (non-selective) media. Inoculated plates were incubated aerobically for 24 h at 37°C. After incubation, bacterial colony-forming units (CFU) were determined. Data were analysed using Wilcoxon and Kruskal,Wallis tests. Results:, Fifty-nine toothbrushes were returned for analysis; experimental (n = 31) and control (n = 28). Data from TSA media revealed a mean CFU for the control group of 5.41 × 105 compared with 6.28 × 105 for the experimental group. Data from MS agar resulted in a mean CFU for the control group of 4.32 × 105 compared with 4.20 × 105 for the experimental group. Conclusion:, Results revealed no statistically significant difference in the quantity of bacteria surviving on toothbrush filaments between control and experimental groups, on both selective and non-selective media, after 30 days. [source] European Regional Structural Funds: How Large is the Influence of Politics on the Allocation Process?JCMS: JOURNAL OF COMMON MARKET STUDIES, Issue 3 2010FLORENCE BOUVET The allocation of Structural Funds, the most important component of the European Union (EU) cohesion policy, is subject to intense bargaining between national governments and across layers of political governance. Using Structural Funds data for each cohesion objective over 1989,99, we examine which variables, economic and political, determine the actual funds allocation. We test our hypotheses with a Tobit model that accounts for the two-stage allocation process and our limited dependent variables. Our results indicate that economic criteria are not the only determinants of funds allocation. Indeed, we find that the political situation within a country and a region and the relations between various layers of governance influence the allocation process. This article is also the only study to measure the impact of additional funds provided by the region or the country itself, and to differentiate the analysis by cohesion objective. [source] Morphology and ultrastructure of the malpighian tubules of the Chilean common tarantula (Araneae: Theraphosidae)JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 1 2002S. Renee Hazelton Abstract Relatively little is known about the morphology and ultrastructure of the Malpighian tubules of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae). Our study represents the first investigation of the Malpighian tubules of a theraphosid spider and is the only study to examine the living Malpighian tubules using confocal laser scanning microscopy. In theraphosid spiders, the Malpighian tubules originate from the stercoral pocket in the posterior portion of the opisthosoma and extend forward toward the prosoma in a dendritic pattern. There are three distinct segments (initial, main, and terminal), all dark brown in appearance. Each segment has distinctive ultrastructural features. Both the terminal and the main segment appear to be composed of at least two cell types with finger-like cytoplasmic protrusions associated with one of these types. The terminal segment, which is most proximal to the stercoral pocket, is the largest in diameter. It is composed of large, cuboidal cells containing many mitochondria and lipid inclusions. The main segment is intermediate in diameter with many mitochondria and secretory vesicles present. The initial segment is relatively thin in comparison to the other segments and is intimately associated with the digestive gland. The cells of the initial segment contain very little cytoplasm, fewer mitochondria, secretory vesicles, and prominent inclusions. J. Morphol. 251:73,82, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||