Linkage of 1986-2009 National Health Interview Survey with 1981-2010 Florida Cancer Data System.

BACKGROUND: National survey data linked with state cancer registry data has the potential to create a valuable tool for cancer prevention and control research. A pilot project-developed in a collaboration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS) at the University of Miami -links the records of the 1986-2009 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the 1981-2010 FCDS. The project assesses the feasibility of performing a record linkage between NCHS survey data and a state-based cancer registry, as well as the value of the data produced. The linked NHIS-FCDS data allow researchers to follow NHIS survey participants longitudinally to examine factors associated with future cancer diagnosis, and to assess the characteristics and quality of life among cancer survivors. METHODS: This report provides a preliminary evaluation of the linked national and state cancer data and examines both analytic issues and complications presented by the linkage. CONCLUSIONS: Residential mobility and the number of years of data linked in this project create some analytic challenges and limitations for the types of analyses that can be conducted. However, the linked data set offers the ability to conduct analyses not possible with either data set alone.

Successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation following cardiopulmonary arrest in a geriatric chinchilla.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the successful application of CPR in a geriatric chinchilla employing basic and advanced life support measures during cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA). CASE SUMMARY: A 13-year-old female intact chinchilla presented to a general and multispecialty referral hospital for a dental procedure. During recovery from anesthesia the patient suffered CPA and CPR was initiated. Noninvasive positive pressure mask ventilation was initiated and external chest compressions were performed. An 18-Ga needle was introduced into the medullary cavity of the right humerus as an intraosseous catheter and provided access for administration of drugs and fluids. After return of spontaneous circulation was noted mannitol was administered via the intraosseous catheter to alleviate suspected increased intracranial pressure. Clinical improvement was noted shortly after administration. Monitoring during the recovery period showed a normal sinus cardiac rhythm and a SpO2 of 100% while on supplemental oxygen. Neurologic function continued to improve over the following hours. Oxygen therapy was provided via an oxygen cage, and administration of antimicirobials, gastrointestinal protectants, and nutritional supplementation were part of the post resuscitation care. Oxygen therapy was discontinued after 24 hours, during which time normal behaviors were observed and neurologic status was considered appropriate. The patient was discharged 48 hours after CPA. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Published reports from clinical practice on the outcomes of CPR for exotic small mammals are limited. This report details the successful outcome of the use of combined basic and advanced life support measures for the provision of CPR in a chinchilla. This report also highlights the utility of an intraosseous catheter for administration of drugs and fluids novel to this species during resuscitation and recovery. To the authors' knowledge this is the first published report of successful CPR following CPA in a geriatric chinchilla.

MicroRNA-125a is over-expressed in insulin target tissues in a spontaneous rat model of Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules involved in post-transcriptional control of gene expression of a wide number of genes, including those involved in glucose homeostasis. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by hyperglycaemia and defects in insulin secretion and action at target tissues. We sought to establish differences in global miRNA expression in two insulin-target tissues from inbred rats of spontaneously diabetic and normoglycaemic strains. METHODS: We used a miRNA microarray platform to measure global miRNA expression in two insulin-target tissues: liver and adipose tissue from inbred rats of spontaneously diabetic (Goto-Kakizaki [GK]) and normoglycaemic (Brown-Norway [BN]) strains which are extensively used in genetic studies of T2D. MiRNA data were integrated with gene expression data from the same rats to investigate how differentially expressed miRNAs affect the expression of predicted target gene transcripts. RESULTS: The expression of 170 miRNAs was measured in liver and adipose tissue of GK and BN rats. Based on a p-value for differential expression between GK and BN, the most significant change in expression was observed for miR-125a in liver (FC = 5.61, P = 0.001, Padjusted = 0.10); this overexpression was validated using quantitative RT-PCR (FC = 13.15, P = 0.0005). MiR-125a also showed over-expression in the GK vs. BN analysis within adipose tissue (FC = 1.97, P = 0.078, Padjusted = 0.99), as did the previously reported miR-29a (FC = 1.51, P = 0.05, Padjusted = 0.99). In-silico tools assessing the biological role of predicted miR-125a target genes suggest an over-representation of genes involved in the MAPK signaling pathway. Gene expression analysis identified 1308 genes with significantly different expression between GK and BN rats (Padjusted < 0.05): 233 in liver and 1075 in adipose tissue. Pathways related to glucose and lipid metabolism were significantly over-represented among these genes. Enrichment analysis suggested that differentially expressed genes in GK compared to BN included more predicted miR-125a target genes than would be expected by chance in adipose tissue (FDR = 0.006 for up-regulated genes; FDR = 0.036 for down-regulated genes) but not in liver (FDR = 0.074 for up-regulated genes; FDR = 0.248 for down-regulated genes). CONCLUSION: MiR-125a is over-expressed in liver in hyperglycaemic GK rats relative to normoglycaemic BN rats, and our array data also suggest miR-125a is over-expressed in adipose tissue. We demonstrate the use of in-silico tools to provide the basis for further investigation of the potential role of miR-125a in T2D. In particular, the enrichment of predicted miR-125a target genes among differentially expressed genes has identified likely target genes and indicates that integrating global miRNA and mRNA expression data may give further insights into miRNA-mediated regulation of gene expression.

High definition laparoscopy: objective assessment of performance characteristics and comparison with standard laparoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: High definition (HD) digital imaging represents a major advance in endoscope technology. The development of the charge-coupled device chip and its location at the distal end of the endoscope allows for image capture and digitization, as well as specific light filtration and processing. We assessed the capability of HD technology combined with digital imaging to provide improved image quality and enhanced spatial three-dimensional positioning. METHODS: A HD digital laparoscope and a standard definition (SD) laparoscope were evaluated in the laboratory setting to assess and compare image resolution, brightness, contrast, and color reproducibility, using standard industry testing protocols. RESULTS: Compared with the SD laparoscope, the HD laparoscope had superior resolution at 50 mm distance (2.4 line pairs/mm v 2.0 line pairs/mm), increased image brightness (129 lumens v 112 lumens), increased depth of field, and decreased distortion. Color and grayscale reproduction were found to be similar for the two laparoscopes. CONCLUSION: HD laparoscopy has superior objective performance characteristics compared with standard laparoscopes. Further investigation is required to determine whether these objective findings translate into subjective improvements, and which characteristics can be adjusted to obtain the best possible results. These improved optics may lead to easier identification of anatomic structures, finer dissection, and enhanced three-dimensional spatial positioning during HD laparoscopic procedures.

Lead mobilization during calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate chelation therapy in treatment of chronic lead poisoning.

It has long been established that chronic lead (Pb) poisoning is a cause of renal insufficiency. However, although easily diagnosed, there is still no treatment available that will revert this type of poisoning. We report a study performed on 56 male Wistar rats administered Pb in drinking water (500 ppm Pb acetate) over a 90-day period. Twenty-one non-Pb-exposed animals served as the control group. Seven animals from each group were killed days 60 and 90. At the end of the 90-day period, 21 of the Pb-exposed animals were treated with disodium monocalcium EDTA (50 mg/kg/d for 5 days) intraperitoneally and 21 animals were administered serum saline by the same route. Three treatment courses were administered, separated by 9 days free of treatment. Seven animals from each subgroup were killed at the end of each treatment course. Pb levels were determined in blood, urine, liver, brain, kidney, and bone. Treatment with EDTA led to a greater and more rapid reduction in Pb contents in the brain and kidney. The decrease in hepatic Pb levels in the treated group of animals was similar to that in the group administered placebo. Bone Pb levels also failed to show a response to the chelating agent. Use of EDTA appears to result in a reduction in Pb deposits in such critical organs as the kidney and brain. However, the chelating agent does not seem to have access to bone Pb deposits, such that the skeleton becomes a permanent source of poisoning for other tissues.

Experimental lead nephropathy: treatment with calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate.

Chronic lead poisoning may cause hypertension, gout, and renal insufficiency. Most experimental poisoning studies have involved the use of high doses over short periods (ie, acute poisoning). Although chelating treatment leads to remission of acute lead nephropathy, its effects in the treatment of chronic poisoning are unclear. The aims of this study were to evaluate renal alterations produced during chronic lead poisoning and their progression when poisoning was over and to determine the efficiency of chelating treatment with calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA). In this study, 56 male Wistar rats were administered lead in drinking water (500 ppm lead acetate) over 90 days. The control group consisted of 21 nonexposed rats. Seven rats from each group were killed on days 60 and 90. At the end of the 90-day period, 21 of the lead-exposed rats were treated with disodium monocalcium EDTA (50 mg/kg/d x 5 days) intraperitoneally, and 21 were administered serum saline by the same route. Three treatment courses were given separated by 9 days free of treatment. Seven rats from each subgroup were sacrificed at the end of each treatment course. Main findings related to poisoning were hypertrophy and vacuolization of medium and small arteries; mucoid edema and muscular hypertrophy in arterioles; loss of cell brush borders, cell loss, and intranuclear inclusion bodies in the proximal tubule; and fibrosis and the presence of infiltrates in the interstitial component. Treatment with EDTA slowed the progression of most alterations. No damage associated with the use of the chelating agent was observed. Longer term studies of the effects of this drug are required to establish whether the damage caused by lead poisoning may be reversed.