K4GeP4Se12: a case for phase-change nonlinear optical chalcogenide.

We report on broadband nonlinear optical (NLO) responses from a phase-change chalcogenide compound K(4)GeP(4)Se(12). Its glassy phase exhibits unusual second-harmonic generation (SHG) due to the preservation of local crystallographic order. The SHG efficiency of the glassy form can be boosted by more than 2 orders of magnitude by simple heat treatment. Strong SHG and third-harmonic generation from both glassy and crystalline compounds were characterized over a wide wavelength range of 1.2-4.0 µm. Our results imply that K(4)GeP(4)Se(12) can be utilized for various NLO applications in the mid-infrared spectrum.

Osteopenia of prematurity: a national survey and review of practice.

UNLABELLED: Premature infants are at significant risk of reduced bone mineral content (BMC) and subsequent osteopenia. There are currently no standard practices regarding screening, investigation or treatment of this condition. We present a case report and findings of a national survey of 36 level 2 and 3 neonatal units (72% response rate). The findings showed widely disparate practice regarding screening, prevention and treatment. We summarize the tests currently available for osteopenia and suggest guidelines for management of the at risk group. CONCLUSION: Our survey confirms inconsistent practices regarding management of infants at risk of osteopenia of prematurity. Investigations and treatments available are summarized together with a guideline for management of this susceptible group of infants.

Sexual health problems managed in Australian general practice: a national, cross sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain how frequently Australian general practitioners (GPs) identify sexual health (SH) problems, to gain understanding of how SH problems are managed in general practice and to determine the characteristics of GPs who manage them. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from the BEACH programme April 2000-March 2003. BEACH is a cross sectional national survey of GP activity: approximately 1000 GPs per year, each records details of 100 consecutive patient encounters. Initially, patient reasons for encounter (RFE), suggestive of a SH problem, were used to derive a list of SH problems (that is, doctor's diagnosis/problem label). Management of these problems was then investigated for all encounters with patients aged 12-49 years. The frequency of SH problems, their management and the characteristics of GPs managing them, were analysed using SAS. RESULTS: During 299,000 encounters with 2990 GPs, 3499 (1.17 per 100 encounters) STI/SH problems were managed, the majority (81.1%) in females. The most common in women were genital candidiasis, vaginal symptoms, urinary symptoms, and intermenstrual bleeding, and in men were testicular symptoms, genital warts, and urethritis. Tests to exclude specific STIs were seldom taken and symptomatic management was common. GPs managing SH problems were younger, more likely to be female, have fewer years in practice, work in larger practices; hold FRACGP status (all p = <0.001) than those GPs who managed none. CONCLUSION: Patients seeking medical attention for SH problems are often managed by GPs. Tests to diagnose or exclude specific sexually transmitted infections are seldom ordered and symptomatic management is common. Strategies to improve management of SH problems in general practice need to be developed and evaluated.

Exhaled breath measures of inflammation: are they useful in neonatal chronic lung disease?

Neonatal chronic lung disease is a common problem for surviving infants of extreme prematurity. Although the precise pathophysiology is still not known, it is clear that inflammation provides a common link that amplifies the injury to the premature lung. Current invasive measures of pulmonary inflammation include markers in blood and airway effluent, with the cellular composition of tracheal fluid being the "gold standard". In this article available exhaled breath measures, particularly nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, volatile hydrocarbons, and exhaled breath condensate, are reviewed with particular reference to sample collection, analysis, and common pitfalls as they apply to the ventilated premature newborn at risk of chronic lung disease. Although they have great potential, all measures require thorough validation before being used clinically.

The use of regional anaesthetic blockade in a child with recurrent erythromelalgia.

Primary erythromelalgia is a rare condition, which is characterised by redness, burning pain, and increased temperature of the extremities. We describe a 6 year old boy with symptoms of erythromelalgia and the difficulty surrounding treatment of this condition. Severe pain responded to the use of regional anaesthetic blocks.

Spermatozoal methylene blue reduction: an indicator of mitochondrial function and its correlation with motility.

Methylene blue reduction rates (MeBRR) were evaluated spectrophotometrically to study bovine spermatozoal mitochondrial function and its relation to motility. A chemical reaction (H2SO4, methylene blue solution, and zinc powder) was used to quantify methylene blue reduction. Absorbance measurements were made for 10 min at 609 nm in a narrow band spectrophotometer. In a second experiment, fresh ejaculates were assessed for concentration and motility evaluated with phase microscopy (37 degrees C). Semen was diluted to 100 million cells/mL in a sodium citrate-glucose buffer and methylene blue. Absorbance and motility were evaluated every 30 min for 2.5 h in a water-jacketed cuvette (41 degrees C). Methylene blue reduction rates and motility decreased at each subsequent period. Methylene blue reduction rates were correlated to sperm motility. Lastly, the methylene blue reduction rate was measured with a broad band spectrophotometer and compared with motility using similar conditions. Motility estimates were made on sperm from the cuvettes. Sperm motility was correlated to methylene blue reduction rates measured spectrophotometrically.

Cardiovascular and secretory immunoglobulin A reactions to humorous, exciting, and didactic film presentations.

Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in saliva and cardiovascular activity were measured at rest and in response to three film extracts varying in affective content. Subjective ratings of film impact confirmed a priori assumptions; the humorous film was rated as funnier than the other two films, the didactic film as more boring than the other two films, and the exciting film as more exciting and more stressful than the other two films. The films elicited distinct patterns of cardiovascular autonomic activity. The exciting film provoked changes characteristic of beta-adrenergic activation: increased systolic blood pressure (SBP); heart rate (HR); cardiac output (CO); and shortened pre-ejection period (PEP). The didactic film had little impact on cardiovascular activity. While an increase in total peripheral resistance (TPR) occurred, the humorous film was largely notable for a reduction in beta-adrenergic drive, as evidenced by reduced CO and a lengthening of PEP. In contrast to previous research reporting a rise in sIgA particular to humorous exposures, the sIgA secretion rate, although enhanced by exposure to the films, did not vary with film content.

[Vaginismus]. / Le vaginisme.

This paper defines vaginismus in depth, discusses therapeutic options with emphasis on the psycho-therapeutic approach in combination with behavioural therapy. Of 26 couples completing such treatment, 22 (85%) on completion were able to achieve full penetrative intercourse without discomfort and reported greater fulfillment in their sexual relationship. Although not all wanted to conceive, seven have since reported a pregnancy.

Perfusion with high potassium plus glutamate can cause LTP erasure or persistent loss of neuronal responsiveness in the CA1 region of the hippocampal slice.

Brief perfusion of salines containing elevated (10.5-50 mM) [K+] plus glutamate (2.5 or 5 mM) could erase long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat hippocampal slices. Prolonged perfusion with high-[K+]/glutamate could cause persistent neuronal depression lasting > 1 h. LTP erasure occurred in the absence of generalized depression of axonal responsiveness, while persistent neuronal depression was associated with a failure of antidromic invasion of cells. The protocols used may contribute to the development of a model for the cellular study of memory loss following neurological dysfunction.

Relative immunosuppressive activity of human seminal prostaglandins.

Human seminal plasma contains uniquely high concentrations of prostaglandins of the E series which are believed to contribute to its immunosuppressive effects in vivo. In order to obtain further insight into their activity we have compared the immunosuppressive properties in vitro of PGE1, PGE2 and 19-OH PGE using three immunological systems known to be modulated by prostaglandins, namely, mitogen induced lymphocyte proliferation, IL-2 and transferrin receptor expression and NK-cell mediated cytotoxicity. These studies revealed that PGE1 and PGE2 exerted a greater immunosuppressive effect than 19-OH PGE, but considerably higher levels of 19-OH PGE in semen might contribute the majority of immunosuppressive activity in vivo. Our studies also show that the lower stability of 19-OH PGE in culture media may be responsible for its lower immunosuppressive effect observed in vitro.

Identification of an epidermal growth factor receptor homologue in trypanosomes.

Considerable advances have been made in our understanding of cell growth regulation in mammalian cells. In particular, studies on transformed and normal cells have highlighted the contribution of growth factor-related control mechanisms in cell growth regulation. We set out to investigate whether host growth factors are involved in the growth regulation of the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. We demonstrate that antibodies to the mammalian epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor bind to the trypanosome T. brucei and, that these antibodies recognise a surface polypeptide of 135 kDa. This polypeptide is one of only two polypeptides in parasite extracts that bind EGF. Furthermore, EGF modifies protein kinase activity and growth rate of trypanosomes in vitro. These results lead to the conclusion that T. brucei has a surface growth factor receptor with considerable homology to the EGF receptor, and raise the possibility that growth factor interactions similar to those found in mammalian cells are involved in cell growth regulation in trypanosomes.